We Say

Greetings from CHRI!

Police reform is too important to neglect and too urgent to delay. In many Commonwealth countries, governments are failing in their duty to provide the public with an honest, efficient, effective police service that ensures the rule of law and an environment of safety and security. Barring certain honourable exceptions, there is much wrong with policing in the Commonwealth for the association and its member states to persist in turning a blind eye.

Nevertheless, the Commonwealth has some inspiring examples of governments and police organisations making concerted efforts to bring about reform - and succeeding. At the heart of all reform efforts lies the need to create effective mechanisms of accountability that can help transform police organisations from oppressive engines of a few powerful interests to a service for all.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held every two years, is a key event in the Commonwealth calendar. At every CHOGM, to bring human rights concerns to the attention of the Heads of Government, CHRI launches a report on a key human rights issue in the Commonwealth. In recognition of the crucial importance of effective accountability to democracy, development and the practical realisation of human rights, CHRI dedicated its 2005 Report to the topic of police accountability in the Commonwealth, which will be launched in November at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta, as well as regionally. CHRI's Police Accountability Report provides a comparative overview of accountability arrangements across the Commonwealth, highlights good practice, and gives recommendations to assist governments, police officials, and civil society in the development and strengthening of effective accountability regimes, as part of the move toward truly democratic policing.

Maja Daruwala
Director, CHRI

Feature Custodian of Death: Sri Lanka Police Sri Lanka's record on custodial torture is far from clean. The government's recent statement denouncing all forms of torture, pledging to introduce short and long-term preventive mechanisms to address the issue is yet to make any visible impact on the situation. Custodial torture is on the rise in this tiny island-nation, which relies heavily on extracting confessions to conduct successful criminal investigations. According to a recent report published by the National Police Commission (NPC) of Sri Lanka, nearly 200 people complained of torture while in custody in the last year. ...more

Australia Police Overseas Service Medal Instituted: 25 April 1991 Awarded: To police officers for service with international peace keeping operations. A silver bar is worn showing the operation for which it is awarded. Papua New Guinea Police Long Service Medal Awarded: For long service and good conduct in the Police.

A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER Source: Punch, July 18, 1885

Women in Focus A "Petticoat Force"? The appointment of the first female Commissioner of Police for the entire Caribbean region in May 2005 should be reason enough to celebrate. But Delano Christopher of Antigua and Barbuda is being confronted with mixed reactions. While her appointment may have been welcomed in some quarters, disturbing news reports have pointed to fears among many about the police department turning into a "petticoat force". The truth is that the presence of women in a macho and male dominated organisation like the police is a delicate issue not only in the Caribbean but also in large parts of the Commonwealth despite gender equality being one of the fundamental principles. In 1995, the Commonwealth Secretariat introduced a gender mainstreaming approach into its plan of action. The Fifth Meeting of Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for Women's Affairs (5WAMM), held in 1996, envisaged the presence of least 30 % of women in decision-making processes including politics and the public and private sector. ...more