This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-15503837
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| David Cameron human rights plea at Commonwealth meeting | David Cameron human rights plea at Commonwealth meeting |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| David Cameron has pressed for progress on a range of human rights issues during the Commonwealth summit. | David Cameron has pressed for progress on a range of human rights issues during the Commonwealth summit. |
| Mr Cameron told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Australia that to stay relevant it must work harder to uphold basic values. | |
| He has said he expects good progress to be made on developing a "charter" of rights and freedoms. | He has said he expects good progress to be made on developing a "charter" of rights and freedoms. |
| It was among more than 100 recommendations made by an Eminent Persons Group. | |
| The group, which includes former UK foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, has examined the challenges facing the Commonwealth. | The group, which includes former UK foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, has examined the challenges facing the Commonwealth. |
| The suggestions were proposed as ways to ensure that the organisation remains relevant in 21st Century global affairs. | The suggestions were proposed as ways to ensure that the organisation remains relevant in 21st Century global affairs. |
| Other recommendations, which are proving more problematic, are the appointment of a independent commissioner for the rule of law and human rights and a call for all member states to repeal laws banning homosexuality. | Other recommendations, which are proving more problematic, are the appointment of a independent commissioner for the rule of law and human rights and a call for all member states to repeal laws banning homosexuality. |
| 'Great network' | 'Great network' |
| The summit in Perth is the first Chogm meeting Mr Cameron has attended since entering Downing Street. | |
| The prime minister said: "The Commonwealth is a great organisation, a third of the world's population, 54 countries across six continents, a really great network, but it is a network that must have strong values. | The prime minister said: "The Commonwealth is a great organisation, a third of the world's population, 54 countries across six continents, a really great network, but it is a network that must have strong values. |
| "The Eminent Persons Group report will strengthen those values particularly by having a charter setting out the rights, the freedoms, the democracy that we all believe in, and I think that is important." | "The Eminent Persons Group report will strengthen those values particularly by having a charter setting out the rights, the freedoms, the democracy that we all believe in, and I think that is important." |
| Mr Cameron added that he thought "good progress" would be made in Perth. | Mr Cameron added that he thought "good progress" would be made in Perth. |
| The human rights record of the Sri Lankan government - one of several represented at the event which faces allegations of abuse - has been closely scrutinised in particular because it is due to hold the next Chogm in two years. | The human rights record of the Sri Lankan government - one of several represented at the event which faces allegations of abuse - has been closely scrutinised in particular because it is due to hold the next Chogm in two years. |
| The country's army has been accused of war crimes during the civil war with the Tamil Tigers. | The country's army has been accused of war crimes during the civil war with the Tamil Tigers. |
| Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has said he will boycott the 2013 summit unless there are major reforms in Sri Lanka. | Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has said he will boycott the 2013 summit unless there are major reforms in Sri Lanka. |
| When asked about Sri Lanka, Mr Cameron said there had to be a "proper, independent exercise to look into the whole issue of what happened, and whether there were war crimes, and who is responsible". | When asked about Sri Lanka, Mr Cameron said there had to be a "proper, independent exercise to look into the whole issue of what happened, and whether there were war crimes, and who is responsible". |