Human Rights
The Secretariat encourages and assists member countries, particularly small states, with the process of ratifying the major human rights conventions. For example, Maldives was assisted in 2006 with ratifying three major human rights conventions.
The Human Rights Unit at the Secretariat has developed the ‘Commonwealth Best Practice Principles on National Human Rights Institutions’ which are being used worldwide in the process of the establishment of national human rights commissions. In 2006, the Secretariat advised Swaziland and Pakistan, among others, on international standards applicable to setting up such mechanisms.
The Secretariat continues to work with governments to strengthen existing human rights institutions to operate confidently, competently and independently. The Human Rights Unit also increases awareness of human rights by holding training programmes for police and prison officers.
We regularly liaise with the UN and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, to ensure efficient and complementary programme activity.
Click here for more about the Commonwealth's work on 'Human Rights'
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