THE CHARTER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
WE THE PEOPLE
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago argues that the new Charter of the Commonwealth focuses and strengthens the contribution of the organization in attaining peace, democracy, human rights, development and the rule of law in member states and in the wider global community.
Hon. Kamla Persad- Bissessar, SC, MP, in Port-of-Spain. Mrs Persad-Bissessar has been the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago since 2010 and was the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-Office in 2010-11. She leads the United National Congress and the People’s Partnership coalition. A lawyer, she was a Senator in 1994 before entering the House of Representatives in 1995. She has held several senior political posts, usually as the first Trinidadian woman to do so.
Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
The Charter of the Commonwealth encompasses all the goals and aspirations of Commonwealth citizens. It embodies the cherished values and principles of Commonwealth peoples, expressed through their governments. It effectively communicates to member states and to their citizens the vision, role and function of the Commonwealth.
At its core, the Charter outlines the means by which compliance with Commonwealth principles and values will impact upon and improve the lives of Commonwealth citizens everywhere.
104 | The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Two
The signature on the document of Her Majesty The Queen, in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth and as a unifying symbol of Commonwealth authority and steadfastness, underscores the common commitment of all Commonwealth member states to work together harmoniously, as equals, towards the achievement of peace, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as critical foundations for the attainment of sustainable development of our countries, and for the betterment of the lives of the peoples of the Commonwealth. While the Charter does not have binding legal effect on its members, it must be appreciated that the Charter is, in essence, the embodiment of longstanding Commonwealth values and principles.
As such, the Charter is not a stand- alone document, separate and apart from the institutions and practices of the Commonwealth. Rather, it is a free expression by Commonwealth peoples of those values and principles that they hold dear and that together constitute a sort of Commonwealth view of the world. My hope is that they
will both identify and embrace it as theirs.
Impact on member nations Given the diversity of the Commonwealth, it is not always possible to achieve consensus on major issues.
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