Commonwealth ministers discuss pandemic, human rights, gender discrimination at Ministerial Action Group meeting

(CU)_Ministers from several Commonwealth countries participated in the 58^th meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which was held virtually on Wednesday (24 March). 

The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, while ministers and representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Barbados, Belize, Ghana, Namibia and Samoa also participated in the video conference.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed their concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic, social and political life, and highlighted the significant recovery efforts that have been undertaken by members of the Commonwealth.

Moreover, they welcomed the emergence of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by regulators, and also expressed their support for the COVAX vaccine sharing facility, and the shared aspiration for the global vaccine rollout to be fair and equitable.

While they acknowledged the solidarity within the Commonwealth to collectively address the pandemic, the Group also discussed the challenges that remain, particularly those in relation to vaccine access, testing and procurement.  

During the virtual meeting, the ministers and representatives expressed their regret over the unfortunate rise in human rights violations as a result of the pandemic, particularly the increase in gender-based violence.

The Group received an update from Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, on her engagements, bilateral visits, as well as technical support to enhance the efforts of the member governments’ in strengthening their human rights and rule of law.

They commended the Commonwealth Secretariat’s efforts in addressing gender-based violence and reiterated their support for the value of inclusion in member countries. 

Highlighting the major role played by the Secretary-General in convening a virtual dialogue on cyber-enabled gender-based violence, in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace, and Security (Resolution 1325), the ministers encouraged her to continue using such innovative ways to continue advocating the protection and empowerment of vulnerable groups.