Hope of human rights progress

David Cameron said he was still hopeful Commonwealth leaders can achieve “good progress” on tougher human rights protections amid warnings that a summit of Commonwealth leaders is headed for failure.

Talks continued through the weekend between representatives from the 54 member countries on a range of issues, including a highly-critical internal report which warned the organisation was failing to stand up for basic rights.

One of the key demands in the report by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) – the creation of a charter setting out Commonwealth principles – has been backed by the biannual meeting in Perth, Australia.

But there appeared to be little prospect of significant progress on another – the introduction of a commissioner to police human rights and democracy.