Queen lines up with her people

THE Queen has made a rare and pointed public appeal for Commonwealth leaders to think of their people, as a key proposal designed to reinforce human rights and other basic values in member nations appeared headed for defeat.

Opening the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth yesterday, the Queen singled out the report by the eminent persons group, which recommended the creation of a Commonwealth commissioner for democracy, the rule of law and human rights. It is being considered by the 54 leaders.

''I wish heads of government well in agreeing further reforms that respond boldly to the aspirations of today and that keep the Commonwealth fresh and fit for tomorrow,'' the Queen said. ''We should not forget that this is an association not only of governments but also of peoples.''

The opposition is led by India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and other African nations. They have argued that the new body would be too intrusive and have questioned how it would work with existing organisations.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Kevin Rudd, said it was better to identify and head off rogue behaviour rather than wait until countries had transgressed and then suspend them from the Commonwealth. Fiji, which has been suspended because of the military coup in 2006, will be discussed by leaders this weekend.

Other recommendations by the eminent persons group include a call for the 41 Commonwealth nations that treat homosexuality as a crime to scrap these laws. It says they are an abuse of human rights and make treating HIV/AIDS more difficult.

[Now that's kind of appalling in 2011. That 41 out of 54 member states treat homosexuality or perhaps acts of as a crime. Amazing. Ed.] 

I agree with you Ed. That's a shocker.