CPA human rights webinar marks 100 days to CHOGM 2024

100 DAYS TO CHOGM 2024: Building Resilient Democratic Institutions and Upholding Human Rights

Commonwealth Parliamentarians examined the role of democratic institutions in upholding human rights protections in a climate of increasing erosion of citizens’ rights during a CPA webinar.

Above: Panellists speak about the role of Parliaments in upholding human rights in the Commonwealth during the CPA webinar.

Hon. Bernard Georges, MNA, Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly of Seychelles called for the separation of powers and guaranteed Executive scrutiny in order to ensure that Parliaments have a strong role to play.

Hon. Munokoa Poto Williams, former Member of Parliament and Government Minister from the Parliament of New Zealand spoke about the importance of monitoring human rights through non-judicial and independent commissions as outlined in the Paris Principles. She also spoke about the challenges to human rights and freedoms when jurisdictions are faced with threats from terrorism or extremism.

The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg spoke about the fragility of human rights across the world and the opportunities that would arise to raise human rights concerns at the upcoming CHOGM with Commonwealth Leaders. He also spoke about the CPA's human rights initiatives and the CPA Working Group on Human Rights.

The Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa, Hon. Mulipola Aloitafua Au'uapaau, chaired the discussion with panellists also responding to questions about the role of the Commonwealth in human rights protections and examples of initiatives being implemented.

The CPA webinar marked 100 days to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this year in Samoa.

Watch the full webinar below or click here to watch on the CPA's YouTube channel.

FROM THE CPA ARCHIVES:

Read these CPA blogs with different perspectives on human rights in the Commonwealth:

• The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentarians with Disabilities network, Hon. Laura Kanushu, MP writes about equality and the rights of persons with disabilities.
• Madhurima Dhanuka from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative writes about safeguarding the rights of the increasing numbers of people held in detention across the Commonwealth.
• Hartwell Mhunduru from The Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN) writes about how human rights relate to one another and how important it is for all maginalised communities to unite in the struggle for freedom, dignity and justice.
• Senator René Cormier from Canada outlines how advancing human rights for all is an incremental initiative but we must show courage to face every challenge.

-ENDS-

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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