We are equals, Commonwealth official tells members

By David Ochami

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Executive Committee chairman Mohamed Shafie bin Apdal has called for equal treatment of members within the block.

He said there were no superior and inferior parties in the association, adding poor members ought to be allowed time to develop parliamentary democracy due to their weak economies. Yesterday, Mohamed said there were no second-class citizens within the Commonwealth.

poor nations

He asked, "mature democracies and developed nations" within CPA to assist poor nations fight poverty and achieve fair trade terms.

He said CPA could not achieve its goals amid stratification and without inclusiveness, collaboration and equal treatment of the voices and opinions of tiny, big, poor and rich nations within the association.

He spoke at the 56th CPA conference in Nairobi, amid reports mature democracies including Australia, were growing impatient about the future of the association, its role, relevance, and commitment to democracy.

A majority of CPA members and the parent Commonwealth of former British nations are midget states in the South Pacific, Caribbean, many with tiny populations and legislatures and questionable commitment to democracy. He believes this diversity and disparity should not be the basis to overlook any member.

Mohamed called on developed countries to foster respect.