TNAG-0925-FCO40-1143-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1980 — Page 55

Twenty-fifth Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

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Trinidad and Tobago supported the proposal for the establishment of a Commonwealth Human Rights Commission, but pointed out that the enunciation of fundamental rights and edoms was meaningless unless the economic system was organised not only to achieve duction but also to ensure equitable distribution of the fruits of that production. If rights and freedoms were heavily dependent on the economics of the State, the State would have to become more involved in economic activity.

The point was made that socialism and democracy were not contradictory but complementary, and only under socialism could individual freedom and liberty be safeguarded.

Delegates agreed that the democratic principle could not operate without the protection of basic human rights, and members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association had a responsibility to safeguard human rights and individual freedoms and to link political democracy with economic democracy.

BY AUTHORITY:

P. D. HASSELBERG, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—1979