Commonwealth accused of loss of 'moral leadership'

23 November 2009

By Michael Holman in London and William Wallis in Accra

Commonwealth leaders gathering in Trinidad for Friday's summit have surrendered their "moral leadership" by failing to act on the crisis in Zimbabwe, according to a report published today. 

 

Ugandan police beat protestors at summit

24 November 2007

By George Parker and Michael Holman in Kampala

Human rights demonstrators were on Friday beaten by Ugandan police in Kampala, during an Commonwealth summit dominated by talk of upholding civil liberties and democracy. David Miliband, Britain's foreign minister, promised to raise concerns about Uganda's human rights in Kampala, but governments ignored opposition calls for a summit boycott. 

 

Sharif to end exile before poll deadline

24 November 2007

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and George Parker in Kampala

 

Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's former prime minister, will return home in the next few days, opposition leaders and Pakistani officials said last night. The move comes as general Pervez Musharraf, the country's military ruler, faces mounting international pressure to lift the state of emergency and restore democracy. The Commonwealth became the first international body to suspend Pakistan since Gen Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3, prompting opposition within the country and abroad.