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Democracy, government and law

Elections 2023: Commonwealth Observer Group in Sierra Leone

24 June 2023

Event

The former Vice President of the Republic of Nigeria (2015-2023), H.E. Prof Yemi Osinbajo will lead a group of Commonwealth election observers to the parliamentary and presidential elections in Sierra Leone, scheduled for 24 June 2023.

Commonwealth Cyber Journal: Volume 2

This second edition of the CCJ focuses on AI: its first five articles, collected together in the special section on AI, address emerging threats and employ AI approaches to improving cybersecurity safeguards. The contributors to this issue cover topics including AI in the justice system; generative artificial intelligence-led crime as a service; violent extremism and AI; AI and the future of intellectual property rights; analysis of the Budapest Convention and draft UN anti-cybercrime framework; and the future of cyber insurance and cybercrime in the Asia-Pacific region.

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“The path to development lies in unity”: Commonwealth Secretary-General addresses political candidates in Sierra Leone

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has applauded the presidential candidates standing for office in Sierra Leone and encouraged them to prioritise national interests and unity ahead of next month’s general elections.

Commonwealth countries urged to strengthen reporting on international humanitarian law

Legal experts gathered at a seminar in London on 23 May 2023 have called on Commonwealth countries to bolster reporting on the domestic implementation of international humanitarian law.

Commonwealth Secretary-General to witness national electoral pledge ceremony in Sierra Leone

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, KC, will attend an Electoral Pledge signing ceremony on Thursday, 25th May, at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown, Sierra Leone, ahead of next month’s general elections.

Rule of law seminar on international humanitarian law reporting

23 May 2023 to 23 May 2023

Event

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the British Red Cross are hosting a seminar in London on 23 May 2023 on voluntary reporting on the domestic implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL).

Commonwealth at Conference of State Parties to Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities

13 June 2023 to 13 June 2023

Conference

The Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat will host two events in New York City from 13 to 15 June 2023, on the sidelines of the Conference of State Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

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Blog: Women’s representation in the judiciary has come a long way but remains far from being equal

This month, the Commonwealth joined the international community to mark the inaugural International Day of Women Judges on 10 March. It is a day designated by the United Nations to promote women’s full and equal participation at all levels of the judiciary.

Commonwealth workshop will boost confidence in elections across Caribbean and Americas

The Commonwealth Secretariat has organised a workshop in Trinidad and Tobago this week for Caribbean and Americas election administrators to examine issues impacting electoral integrity, transparency and inclusiveness, with the aim of enhancing confidence in the democratic process.

Commonwealth Cybercrime Journal: Volume 1

This first issue of the CCJ examines contemporary issues and topics such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial decision-making in criminal matters; co-dependency between cybercrime and organised crime; data privacy concerns in relation to bring-your-own-device (BYOD) working practices; a comparative review of national cybercrime laws; regional cyber-criminogenic theory; cybercrime reporting; and cyber diplomacy co-operation on cybercrime.

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If we value human rights and the rule of law, then we must fight for climate justice

Human life is sacred and every individual deserves an equal chance in life. We have a common desire, we all want to lead a free, fulfilling existence, with dignity, where our basic needs are met, with opportunities to advance and equal treatment under the law. These are fundamental human rights, protected by international law, which we all have a shared responsibility to protect.

Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers meet to discuss responses to global crises

Foreign Ministers from across the Commonwealth met yesterday for the 22nd annual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM). The meeting was held in person at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters, Marlborough House, in London.

“As lawyers, we can change the world if we choose,” says Commonwealth Secretary-General

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, in her keynote speech at the 23rd Commonwealth Law Conference (CLC) held in Goa, India this week, called on lawmakers and the legal community to use their skills to take on the challenge of protecting the environment, improving governance, enhancing freedoms and enabling the most vulnerable.

Interim Statement of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Nigeria’s 2023 General Elections

Statement by HE Thabo Mbeki
Former President of the Republic of South Africa
Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group

Commonwealth observers say Nigeria’s 2023 elections ‘largely peaceful’ with room for improvement

Nigeria’s 2023 general elections were “largely peaceful” despite administrative and logistical hurdles at many polling units, according to an independent group of Commonwealth observers.

Commonwealth team observes voting on election day in Nigeria

Commonwealth observers are today watching as the voting takes place across Nigeria and millions of people head out to elect their presidential and national assembly representatives.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Attends Peace Accord Ahead of Nigeria’s General Elections

In the leadup to Nigeria’s General Elections which are to take place on Saturday February 25th, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, arrived in Abuja for the signing of the National Peace Accord.

Rule of Law Conversation Series

The Commonwealth Secretariat hosts the Rule of Law Conversations, a series of webinars and events addressing contemporary legal topics.

We must decriminalise poverty to achieve equal access to justice

Last week the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London held a seminar at Marlborough House on the decriminalisation of Poverty and Status in the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Observer Group calls for peaceful elections in Nigeria

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group to Nigeria, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, has urged the country’s political parties, candidates and their supporters to play their part in ensuring peaceful, transparent and credible elections on Saturday, 25 February 2023.

Elections 2023: Commonwealth Observer Group in Nigeria

25 February 2023 to 25 February 2023

Event

Commonwealth election observers were in Nigeria from 19 February to 2 March for the country’s 2023 general elections.

Former President Mbeki of South Africa to lead Commonwealth observers for Nigerian elections

Former President of South Africa, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, will lead a team of Commonwealth election observers to Nigeria, which will be holding Africa’s largest democratic exercise later this month when it holds general elections on 25 February 2023.

22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting

15 March 2023 to 15 March 2023

Event

The 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) will take place at the Commonwealth’s Headquarters, Marlborough House, London, on 15 March 2023.

Caribbean workshop on effective legal frameworks for building the digital economy

13 February 2023 to 15 February 2023

Conference

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) will co-host a three-day workshop to train government officials from the Caribbean in developing sound legal frameworks that boost the digital economy.

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Commonwealth team to observe Antigua and Barbuda’s 2023 general election

Former President of Seychelles, H.E. Danny Faure, will lead a team of Commonwealth election observers to Antigua and Barbuda for the country’s general election, scheduled for 18 January 2023.