Commonwealth adopts better rights monitoring but skirts fundamental reforms

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers a speech to the Commonwealth Business forum in Perth, Australia Thursday Oct. 27, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Bruce Cheadle, The Canadian Press  Oct 28, 2011 10:00:00 AM

PERTH, Australia - Commonwealth leaders agreed to better monitoring of existing rules on human rights issues Friday, but are balking at more fundamental reforms that have been called critical to the association's survival.

Talks will continue Saturday at the biennial summit of the 54-member organization, however the creation of a new Commonwealth commissioner of human rights appears to be in trouble.

"I think it's fair to say there's not unanimity amongst Commonwealth countries on that recommendation — I think that's probably an understatement," said Senator Hugh Segal, the Canadian representative on a panel commissioned to recommend reforms.    Full Story>>>