Representatives of Commonwealth nations met to discuss the possibility of cooperations on minority and forced migration issues. Due to their national obligations, some of the represenatatives were missing, but they maintain that positions of all representatives were included in the common positions, as they were previously discussed through diplomatic corrrespondence.We are publishing a short summary of the press release, which you can also read in full below.
Forced migrations one of the main topics
The United Kingdom and South Africa agreed that prevention of forced migrations and protection displaced persons are important aspects of this agenda topic. The United Kingdom suggested that any future resolution dealing with forced migration could include the term 'displaced persons' guided by the definition in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, but extending it to also include displaced persons who fled across the border. All representatives agreed that this may be a good direction to take. They also agreed that armed conflict, violence, environmental disasters, violations of human rights and political persecutions are all causes of displacement that demand strengthened protection.
Consensus on the topic of minorities
On the topic of minorities, Commonwealth states also found areas of consensus. Australia highlighted the importance of multiculturalism and United Kingdom suggested that this can be incorporated into a future resolution by urging states to commit themselves to adopting measures to improve social cohesion. All delegates agreed, but India particularly stood out in their support for policies promoting brotherhood among all minorities, since India is one of the most diverse states with over 1000 minorities.
All representatives agreed that burdens sharing proposals by other delegations of the GA was something Commonwealth nations are willing to discuss and look into further. In their press release they stated that they were positively reminded that the Commonwealth bond is strong and that their shared values of democracy, human rights, development, beducation, environment, health and sport can breed healthy relations on many fronts.
Below you can read the full press release:
Representatives of four Commonwealth nations met yesterday to discuss the possibility of cooperation on pressing issues on the United Nations General Assembly agenda. With little time left before the first GA session to be held on 18 April, the delegations of the Republic of India, South Africa, Australia and United Kingdom sat down and openly discussed their positions and concerns regarding minority issues and forced migration. One of Commonwealth's principal aim is to increase awareness and respect for human rights regardless of gender, race, color, creed or political belief. With promotion of human rights in mind, United Kingdom and South Africa quickly agreed that prevention of forced migrations and protection displaced persons are important aspects of this agenda topic. South Africa emphasized the importance of health provisions in any future resolution regarding forced migrants, while the United Kingdom reiterated its commitment to development, promotion of democracy and human rights as a strategy of preventing displacement both internal and cross-border.
India brought up the important issue of defining the category of migrants, which the resolution would protect. The United Kingdom suggested that any future resolution dealing with forced migration could include the term 'displaced persons' guided by the definition in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, but extending it to also include displaced persons who fled across the border. All representatives agreed that this may be a good direction to take and the delegate of India stressed their support for a general and inclusive approach. They also agreed that armed conflict, violence, environmental disasters, violations of human rights and political persecutions are all causes of displacement that demand strengthened protection.
All representatives agreed that burdens sharing proposals by other delegations of the GA was something Commonwealth nations are willing to discuss and look into further. On the topic of minorities, Commonwealth states also found areas of consensus. Australia highlighted the importance of multiculturalism and United Kingdom suggested that this can be incorporated into a future resolution by urging states to commit themselves to adopting measures to improve social cohesion. All delegates agreed, but India particularly stood out in their support for policies promoting brotherhood among all minorities, since India is one of the most diverse states with over 1000 minorities. All representatives agreed that anti-discrimination policies and laws are a key element of protecting minorities and preventing conflict.
The representatives also discussed the idea of allowing states to adapt any future resolution to their own state particularities both in terms of their actual minority categories, numbers and history, but also their legislation and political system. South Africa suggested including civil society into all of these processes. The congregated states also talked about international actors that could be tasked with monitoring minority issues, their mandate and competence.
The Commonwealth states achieved a lot. In a friendly environment of peace loving states, they were able to find many common points that could be built upon with further cooperation. The representatives were positively reminded that the Commonwealth bond is strong and that their shared values of democracy, human rights, development, education, environment, health and sport can breed healthy relations on many fronts.
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