The Queen and the Commonwealth; A Platinum Jubilee Tribute

Promoting democracy and human rights

Two agreements: the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and the 1991 Harare Commonwealth Declaration, marked a Commonwealth seeking to work with “renewed vigour” on promoting democracy and human rights.

The Commonwealth has become more activist in this regard: Since the 1980s, Fiji (three times), Pakistan (twice), Zimbabwe, Nigeria and the Maldives have seen their membership suspended or decided to withdraw following criticism of their human rights record.

Much work remains, however. Globally, 69 countries criminalise same-sex sexual relationships, and more than half—36—are Commonwealth states. Many retain legislation introduced in the colonial era—something the UK Government has offered to help countries reform.

In 2013, the Commonwealth also faced criticism for holding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka, despite human rights abuses occurring towards the end of its civil war in 2009.

The Monarch and the Commonwealth

The Queen has played a largely neutral role as Commonwealth Head, staying out of its major crises. However, she reportedly feared a Commonwealth split if tougher measures were not taken against apartheid-era South Africa.

There is no specific role for the Commonwealth’s Head. It has been argued by figures such as the historian Philip Murphy that the Head has become a more substantial position “very much due to the Queen’s efforts.”

In her role, the Queen pushed to attend CHOGMs (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings) when her governments have feared them as potentially too controversial. Between 1971 and 2015, the Queen missed only two of these biannual meetings.