Who this work affects

The work of the Unit is informed by the international legal framework on human rights. Commonwealth Heads of Governments have also reaffirmed their commitments to human rights through a number of Declarations such as the Harare Declaration and the Kampala Declaration. Examples of rights established in international law are the right to life, the right to vote, to food, to education, to decent work, to housing and to freedom of expression. A primary focus of our work is to help countries ratify and implement key human rights conventions in order to provide protection for all citizens. Member countries are encouraged to put in place mechanisms for the implementation of these instruments. We also work with target groups such as women, children and minority groups who tend to be more vulnerable to discrimination and violation.