Written question asked by Lord Tebbit (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 12 July 2011.

Commonwealth

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the criteria for the admission of foreign states to the Commonwealth.

Answer: The 2007 Kampala Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting agreed on the following Commonwealth membership criteria: an applicant country should, as a general rule, have had a historic constitutional association with an existing Commonwealth member, save in exceptional circumstances; in exceptional circumstances, applications should be considered on a case-by-case basis; an applicant country should accept and comply with Commonwealth fundamental values, principles, and priorities as set out in the 1971 Declaration of Commonwealth Principles and contained in other subsequent declarations; an applicant country must demonstrate commitment to: democracy and democratic processes, including free and fair elections and representative legislatures; the rule of law and independence of the judiciary; good governance, including a well-trained public service and transparent public accounts; and protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and equality of opportunity; an applicant country should accept Commonwealth norms and conventions, such as the use of the English language as the medium of inter-Commonwealth relations, and acknowledge Queen Elizabeth II as the Head of the Commonwealth; and new members should be encouraged to join the Commonwealth Foundation, and to promote vigorous civil society and business organisations within their countries, and to foster participatory democracy through regular civil society consultations.

Secondary information