The Commonwealth founded in 1949 is a voluntary Association of 53 former British colonies plus Britain comprising of 2.4 billion people, one-third of world population across one-third land mass of six continents transcending barrier of race, religion and colour.
The Commonwealth is a consolation prize for Britain for losing its empire. It is very important and relevant to Britain to vindicate its tenuous link with vainglorious imperial past.
Britain spends huge amount of money to maintain the Commonwealth secretariat in London, provide funds for development assistance and 900 scholarships for post-graduate studies in England each year for member countries.
In the context of Brexit, the commonwealth has assumed an added significance to Britain as it looks upon it as an alternative source and destination of trade and investment to the European Union (EU).
The full potential of the Commonwealth has not been harnessed yet. It has potential to expand its influence and clout as an engine of economic might by boosting trade and investment. As a trading bloc the combined gross national income of all commonwealth states is US$10.7 trillion. Global trade between commonwealth states as a whole is estimated to be over US$ 680 billion.
The strength of the Commonwealth lies in its moral authority. Its charter, adopted in 2012, espouses the virtues of democracy, rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression, gender equity, combating climate change and economic development with social justice. The Commonwealth has so far sent 140 election observer missions to around 40 countries.
However , the recent rising trend of far- right populist rhetoric of nationalism, resistance to immigrants, increasing visa restriction, racial bias and xenophobia in Britain as in other European countries is deeply troubling.
The Commonwealth decries abuses of power, corruption, repression and tyranny of an authoritarian rule. Membership of Pakistan was suspended twice during the military rule of Parvez Musharraf. Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 as its election was marred by violence and intimidation. Nigeria was suspended when its military ruler executed death sentence of Ken Saro Wiwa, a writer and a human rights activist by a Kangaroo court. The Commonwealth Summit serves a useful corrective purpose as the attending heads of government remain constantly alert lest there should be public exposure and grilling of their vulnerabilities, if any, in areas of governance failure and protection of civil liberties. Bilateral talks on the sidelines and retreat of the summit also serves a very useful objective.
Fascination with authoritarianism and intolerance for democratic dissent and disdain for traditional values of liberal democracy and rule of law is now a global phenomenon and is the defining challenge of the times and needs to be addressed by all in the Commonwealth in right earnest. The joint communique issued at the end of the 25th Commonwealth summit on April 20 has, appropriately, reiterated support for democracy, rule of law and human rights others.
To the special interest of Bangladesh, the joint communique called for sustainable return in safety, security and dignity of all displaced Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh to their rightful home in Myanmar under United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supervision. The communique also commended Bangladesh and prime minister Hasina for providing shelter to the 'distressed humanity facing existential threat'.
Abdul Hannan is a columnist and former diplomat.
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