01 May 2014

Law ministers and Attorneys General from the 53 Commonwealth member countries will meet in Gaborone from May 05-08, 2014 at Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), to discuss law and justice issues affecting Commonwealth citizens and continue regional and international advocacy on issues of common concern.

A press release from the Ministry of Defense, Justice and Security states that the theme for the meeting is: “consolidating the rule of law and human rights in the commonwealth.”

The meeting is held every three years, and it will be the first time Botswana ever hosted such a meeting, which Minister of Defense, Justice and Security Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse will be chairing.In a statement, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, who will be attending the meeting together with the Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, said: “Common law and other shared legal traditions are among the links which give such a strong sense of affinity within the Commonwealth community, helping us to find consensus and to collaborate in many ways towards strengthening the shared values of the rule of law”.

They said the Commonwealth Charter embodies the fundamental principles and values which draw member states together in their collective commitment, including the rule of law and human rights.

With Commonwealth Law Ministers assembling for their first meeting since the Charter was signed in March 2013, this will be an opportunity to consider practical ways in which the member states can advance pan-Commonwealth and international cooperation and their core goals and aspirations for the benefit of citizens in all member states. They also thanked Botswana for hosting the meeting.

Katalaina Sapolu, Director of Rule of Law at the Commonwealth Secretariat, has explained that the 2014 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting will enable countries to reflect on the incremental but steadfast progress made on strengthening the rule of law and the protection of human rights and further strengthen collaboration for mutual benefit.

The ministers will also consider the link between the rule of law and sustainable development in the post-2015 development agenda.

Tangible meeting outcomes are expected to include consensus on enhanced international cooperation on such issues as cybercrime and corruption.

Ministers and senior officials will also discuss international judicial development, climate change-related issues, forced migration, and strengthening the legislative framework for dealing with violence against women.

The Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting is unique in the legal calendar.

It is the only high-level event that brings together Law Ministers and Attorneys Generals from both developing and developed countries of the Commonwealth. ENDS