Latest content: Governance and law

Experts from 16 countries responsible for guiding the Commonwealth’s response against violent extremism have praised the ongoing efforts while making the case for further assistance. The Commonwealth Cadre of Experts on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) met this week in Wilton Park, United Kingdom, to sketch an action plan in the lead-up to the 2020 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Commonwealth member states from Africa and the Caribbean are meeting in Ghana to share experiences and good practices in building, strengthening and sustaining national dialogues to prevent violence and unrest.

The Commonwealth has held a training session for more than 30 Cameroonians designed to highlight the role women can play in building peace, understanding conflict and countering violent extremism. Participants from Cameroon’s civil society attended the four-day workshop in Douala.

Caribbean anti-corruption agencies have unanimously agreed on the need for robust legislation to investigate and prosecute corruption in the region.

The Commonwealth has hosted an event unveiling a report on how the Cameroon government and civil society can support women returning from situations of extremism

A two-day consultation has been held with lawyers to create a practical guide helping member countries negotiate investment contracts which serve their development needs.

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has outlined a framework to help member countries investigate and prosecute corruption offences, which cost the global economy around $2 trillion a year. 

Members of the Uganda Sentencing Committee have met with Commonwealth rule of law experts to explore strategies to improve sentencing guidelines, so they cover higher and magistrates’ courts with the overall objective of improving consistency and promoting uniformity in sentencing practices and outcomes.

The Commonwealth has delivered a four-day workshop in Trinidad and Tobago designed to counter violent extremism in prisons

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has congratulated the people of Belize on a successful referendum. They voted to refer to the International Court of Justice any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land, insular territories and any maritime areas.

The Secretary-General has expressed optimism that Africa is turning the tide against corruption, but warned the fight must continue with renewed vigour

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has welcomed reports the government of Brunei Darussalam has placed a full moratorium on the death penalty, inclusive of the Syariah Penal Code Order (SPCO).

Africa's leading corruption-fighters will meet in Uganda next week to discuss and share intelligence on how they are tackling the issue across the continent.

The Commonwealth, in collaboration with the Integrity Commission of Grenada, organised a leadership and management training programme from 25 March - 1 April in the capital, St. George’s. In addition, a one-day session on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), published by Transparency International, took place with the National Roundtable Anticorruption Mechanism.  Participants discussed the implications of the CPI for Grenada.

Young people from Commonwealth countries in Asia have been learning how they can take action to prevent and counter violent extremism and build peace in their communities. Aspiring leaders and change-makers aged between 18 and 25 took part in a five-day workshop in Brickfield, Malaysia, to equip themselves with skills to help shape their communities in positive ways.

Top civil service officials from across the Commonwealth will convene next week to look at how the public service can better respond to changing global dynamics and trends.

A new study will examine the challenges faced by member countries in settling disputes under international commercial contracts

Representatives of Commonwealth small states have identified key issues such as climate change, high crime rates, gun violence and the illicit drug trade that should be tackled through a South-South initiative to support sustainable peace and development.

Roger Koranteng has been awarded the Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award for his work on tackling corruption in both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries.

Commonwealth ministers for public service agreed to strengthen governance systems in their countries, as a critical step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The heads of anti-corruption agencies from French-speaking African nations have attended a training programme in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire to learn about the Commonwealth’s anti-corruption initiatives on the continent.

Mutual co-operation and respect for the rule of law received unanimous backing at the Meeting of Law Ministers and Attorneys General of Small Commonwealth Jurisdictions that has concluded in London.

Senior officials from law ministries across the Commonwealth welcomed innovative projects by the Secretariat to promote the rule of law and justice reform, following through on mandates given by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting earlier this year.