Britain?s Queen Elizabeth II (2nd L) is joined by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (L), Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (2nd R) and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (R) for the official female heads of state photo at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on Friday. afp photoPerth: Queen Elizabeth II urged ?enduring results? from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Friday to keep it relevant as changes to succession rules for the British throne were approved. Amid heavy security, the monarch officially opened the three-day summit Friday, saying she expected a ?meeting that promises to bring new vibrancy to the Commonwealth?.
?I wish heads of government well in agreeing to further reforms that respond boldly to the aspirations of today and that keep the Commonwealth fresh and fit for tomorrow,? she said.
Now 85, the queen said she had attended many such meetings that had looked to the future with a sense of vision and practical action.
?The results of this meeting may be global in impact or simply touch a single individual even imperceptibly. But in every respect I trust the results will be positive and enduring,? she said.
The queen is head of state in 16 Commonwealth nations and in an historic move leaders of those countries agreed to scrap ancient laws barring first-born daughters or anyone married to a Roman Catholic from inheriting the throne.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the agreement, which will have to be formally approved by the affected nations, would sweep aside outdated rules that ?just don?t make sense to us any more?.
Cameron has the political support to make the changes in London but required the backing of the other Commonwealth realms, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and smaller nations in the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The debate was intensified by the April wedding of William, the second in line to the throne. The changes mean that if he and wife Kate Middleton have a girl as their first born then she would one day be queen.
Composed mainly of former British colonies and embracing two billion citizens, the Commonwealth?s relevance in the 21st century will be a key focus for the summit.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, the host, told the opening gathering that it was vital for the organisation to move with the times.
?The world has changed, and a wise institution changes too,? she said.
?So as the Commonwealth journeys towards its centenary, it is time for renewal.?
Most Commonwealth leaders are attending the summit, although Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pulled out without giving a reason and New Zealand?s John Key is absent.
Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the meeting would consider a series of proposals, including establishing an independent commissioner to monitor human rights.
In one step that Sharma hailed as progress, the Commonwealth agreed on Friday to procedures that would allow the bloc to intervene or engage earlier with governments in danger of violating human rights and the rule of law.
Other issues set to be discussed are the laws in many Commonwealth countries that criminalise homosexual sex and the prevalence of forced marriages of young girls.
The summit is being held amid heavy security with the centre of Perth in virtual lockdown to deter potential terrorist threats and limit any protests by those wanting to emulate the global ?Occupy? movement.
About 1,500 people marched in solidarity with the Occupy movement against corporate greed and the growing rich-poor divide, but it passed off peacefully.
Police have been given special powers to deal with any protests and can search people at will and ban known activists from entering special zones. ?AFP
Source: daily-sun.com
Read More on prothom alo news
No comments:
Post a Comment