Deputy Secretary-General opens Senior Law Officials Meeting

Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha at the opening of the three-day meeting.

A meeting of Senior Officials of Law Ministries was held at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, UK from 18 to 20 October.

Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha who opened the three-day meeting said that it provided an opportunity for delegates to share information and experiences in the joint efforts to respond effectively to current issues and concerns.

"They include combating terrorism, international and humanitarian law, constitutional developments, access to justice mechanisms, competition law, gender and human rights law, as well as the mandate of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on asset repatriation," said Mrs Mugasha.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is involved in providing assistance in judicial capacity-building, provision of legal experts, assisting member states to adhere to various international treaties and obligations.

Also participating in the meeting were the Secretary-General of the Hague Conference on Private International Law Hans Van Loon, the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Commonwealth Legal and Education Association, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.

The Deputy Secretary-General commended them for their work in promoting the Latimer House Guidelines, which led to the adoption of the Commonwealth Principles on the Relationship Between the Three Branches of Government by Heads of Government at the CHOGM in Abuja, Nigeria, last year.

Mrs Mugasha said their report on the work undertaken over the last two years around the Commonwealth and their expert input at this meting, will be invaluable.

Representatives from the Caribbean Community and Pacific Islands Forum are also attending the meeting.