CHOGM rules out human rights commissioner

Updated October 30, 2011 12:04:59 

Updated October 30, 2011 12:04:59

Photo: Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma at the leaders' retreat. (Claire Martin)

Leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth have ruled out setting up a Human Rights Commissioner.

The proposal, which was recommended by its eminent persons group, had the backing of several member countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom.
But, many Commonwealth nations disagreed with the idea of a commissioner.
Trinidad's Foreign Minister Suruj Rambuchan says it is not necessary.
"There have been a few blips like in any part of the world but I don't think it demanded a commissioner," he said.
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard says Australia backed the idea but the Commonwealth operates by consensus so it is not being set up.
She played down a suggestion Sri Lanka led the campaign against the commissioner because of the questions over human rights abuses during its recent civil war.
Yesterday, members of the eminent persons group, including Sir Malcolm Rifkind, pushed for a commissioner to be appointed.
He said it would ensure the Commonwealth acts when democracy is under threat in one of its member nations.
"Bring the analysis and the evidence to the ministers and thereby make it much more difficult to be frank that they could simply look the other way and take no action," he said.
Ms Gillard says CHOGM has, however, agreed to have a Commonwealth charter.
"It will bring together the Commonwealth's values principles and aspirations in one clear and powerful statement," she said.