Commonwealth meet draws attention to Rwanda’s human rights record

Commonwealth leaders met in Kigali on Friday to discuss cooperation on topics from trade to health to climate, against a backdrop of criticism of host Rwanda’s human rights record and of a British policy to deport asylum seekers there.

The Commonwealth, a club of 54 countries, most of which are former British colonies, encompasses about a third of the world and presents itself as a network of equal partners with shared goals such as democracy, peace and prosperity.

“The fact of holding this meeting in Rwanda, a new member with no historical connection to the British Empire, expresses our choice to continue reimagining the Commonwealth for a changing world,” Rwandan President Paul Kagame said in a speech at the opening ceremony.

Rwanda joined in 2009.

The opening ceremony was attended by 29 heads of state and government. The other member states, including South Africa, India, Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand, sent delegations led by ministers or diplomats.

Britain’s Prince Charles was there, representing his 96-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth II who is the head of the Commonwealth. Charles is due to succeed her, a plan being questioned by some Caribbean member nations.

Human rights record

One item on the agenda will be applications by former French colonies Togo and Gabon to join the Commonwealth, a sign of disenchantment within France’s sphere of influence in Africa and of the attractions of an English-speaking club.

At previous summits, leaders have agreed on declarations and targets on specific challenges such as malaria, and some of the richer members have pledged funding for tackling them.

The discussions are happening as the Central African country’s human rights record is under the spotlight again.