PLENARY SESSION - RESPONDING TO THE COMMONWEALTH CHARTER
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Nomaindia Mfeketo, MP, delivering her presentation at the Final Plenary.
that is sensitive to the needs of all its members and capable of addressing current and future situations. Ms Mfeketo referred to President Zuma’s opening address from the conference’s opening ceremony and his clear commitment, by South Africa, to adhere to the principles enshrined in the Charter. She stressed that South Africa fully embraced the Charter particularly as its Bill of Rights was aligned to it. South Africa operationalized the Charter through the creation of the Chapter 9 institutions in support of democracy; institutions answerable only to the constitution and the law of South Africa. Ms Mfeketo spoke about South Africa’s role in maintaining peace and its subsequent adoption of the African Charter.
The Commonwealth Charter places an obligation on all members to learn from one another and to adopt best practices. Therefore it must be accessible and available in all
languages. The further progression of the adoption process includes:
• Approval and signature; • Adoption; • Domestication; • Operationalization; • Development of mechanisms to ensure compliance; and
• Propularization.
The role of civil society was emphasised as was the need for an activist Parliament. In conclusion, Ms Mfeketo shared the need to define the mission (Commonwealth) and hand it down to future generations.
The Charter as a blueprint for action
Hon. Kerry McCarthy, MP, United Kingdom, commended Ms Mfeketo on a very comprehensive and clear introduction to the Commonwealth Charter and the importance and values enshrined in it. She reminded
delegates of the shared values in balancing the autonomy of the different cultures of the 56 different states outlined in the historic Charter. She thanked the Eminent Persons Group that recommended the Charter in the 2011 report, and stressed that the adoption of the Charter be considered as a living and evolving document and a blueprint for action.
If the government policies and actions did not reflect the values set out in the Charter, it undermined the credibility, international standards and strengthening of the Commonwealth. The Charter is a vehicle to empower Parliamentarians to challenge their governments if they failed to uphold these core values. Ms McCarthy too made reference to President Zuma’s statement that it is the role of Parliamentarians to ensure that those who have elected them know about the Charter, know about their human rights and know what the
Commonwealth expect of their Governments. In this regard, civil society must be included in the work of keeping governments accountable. She mentioned there were several noteworthy inclusions in the Charter as well as some omissions. This included the recognition that more could be done to advance women’s rights.
She called for Parliaments’ response to this clause to take steps to enhance the reputation of women within their Parliaments as discussed at the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ conference. Many countries were leading by example such as Rwanda, where 56 per cent of elected members were women, and South Africa and Seychelles coming in under the top 10. However the U.K. ranked at no. 56 with 23 per cent.
The Commonwealth made clear its commitment to promote access to education for children around
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