Commonwealth leaders fails on human rights

Perth - Commonwealth leaders on Saturday failed to establish a human rights watchdog for their 54-nation bloc, but insisted that progress had been made during their summit to promote democratic values.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said unspecified nations among the group of mainly former British colonies had rejected a key reform proposal to set up a commissioner overseeing human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

"Australia and a number of delegations indicated that they were supportive of this proposal," Gillard told reporters following a day of talks with other Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) leaders.

"But there were a number of delegations concerned by it and the Commonwealth is an organisation that involves consensus in its decision-making."

The three-day CHOGM summit began on Friday amid warnings that the organisation representing two billion people was becoming irrelevant because of its failure to address human rights abuses among member states.

War crimes

Sri Lanka had been under sharp focus in the lead up to CHOGM amid accusations its forces committed war crimes in 2009 as it ended a decades-long civil war against Tamil Tiger separatists.

An Eminent Persons Group that CHOGM commissioned two years ago to look at the human rights issue and other problems within the organisation had recommended that an independent watchdog be established.

But while rich countries such as Australia, Britain and Canada favoured a stronger focus on human rights and other contentious issues, many developing nations expressed resentment at outside influence.

Nevertheless, Gillard pointed to another recommendation of the Eminent Persons Group - to establish a common charter of values - that was endorsed on Saturday as a sign of progress.

"The charter will be finalised in 2012 and it will bring together the Commonwealth values, principles and aspirations in one clear and powerful statement," she said.

However, the wording of the charter was not finalised.

Members of the Eminent Persons Group had earlier expressed concern that the fate of all their 106 recommendations for reform may be ignored or sidelined.

Homophobic laws

Other recommendations made by the group including ending homophobic laws in many member nations that are contributing to the spread of HIV/Aids, and to help small island states deal with climate change.

"If this CHOGM does not deliver such reforms, it is our duty to sound the caution to you that this CHOGM will be remembered not as the triumph it should be, but as a failure," said Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the group's chair.

Queen Elizabeth II had also told the opening of the summit that the organisation needed to adapt to remain "fresh and fit for tomorrow".

"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," said the monarch, who departed for London on Saturday.

The summit is due to end on Sunday afternoon with a joint communiqué on a wide range of issues, including human rights, climate change and food security.

The event was being held amid heavy security with the centre of Perth in virtual lockdown to deter potential terrorist threats and limit any protests by those wanting to emulate the global "Occupy" movement.