AUCKLAND: The Commonwealth Nov. 12th, entered a new era setting up a special action group of eight foreign ministers to deal with the violations of human rights and democracy in member countries.

The 52 nation grouping gave the military regime of Gen Sani Abacha two years to restore democracy in Nigeria while Britain imposed a comprehensive are member goon the West African country.

In an unprecedented move, the Commonwealth suspended Nigeria Saturday in protest at the execution of writer Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other human rights activists.

New Zealand Prime Minister Mr. Jim Bolger said he hoped the coming two years would see concrete moves” that Nigeria was taking more acceptable approach to government,” otherwise it would be expelled.

“I think the suggestion of the Commonwealth’s failure is inaccurate and wrong,” Mr. Bolger said, adding the organization is a “vibrant gathering of nations.”

British Prime Minister Mr. John Major announced an immediate arms embargo against Nigeria as he left ‘Auckland. Mr, Major described the hanging of Saro Wiwa and others as a “direct challenge to the Commonwealth,”

The External Affairs Minister, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, said the Commonwealth will be “greatly strengthened” by its decision to suspend Nigeria from the club and that this will enforce promotion of democracy throughout the world.

He hoped the Nigerian authorities will move “rapidly in response to the Commonwealth call so that they are able to rejoin their place within this body as early as possible.

The Commonwealth leaders at their retreat in Millbrook adopted an action program aimed at advancing Commonwealth political values, promoting sustainable development and facilitating consensus building.

It gave new teeth to the 1991 Harare Declaration in which Commonwealth countries undertook to promote democracy and human rights.

The foreign ministers committee will deal with “serious or persistent violations of the Harare Declaration’s principles, Mr, Bolger said.

The Commonwealth secretariat will be given more funds to stimulate development and efforts will be made to increase investment.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 17, 1995