TNAG-1152-FCO40-1432-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-Commonwealth-1982 — Page 5

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CONFIDENTIAL

1983 COMMONWEALTH LAW MINISTERS' MEETING (CLMM)

(SRI LANKA 14-18 FEBRUARY)

Human Rights

DSR 11C

INTRODUCTION

1. The CLMM will consider the proposal for an

Advisory Committee on Commonwealth Human Rights. We

should take a low profile, but without obstructing

the proposal. Other countries have difficulties

with the idea and we can afford to let them take the

lead.

POINTS TO MAKE

2. We welcome the opportunity for further discussion

of the Working Party's proposal (paragraph 5) for an

Advisory Committee for the protection and maintenance

of human rights in the Commonwealth.

3. Hope the CLMM will endorse this, subject to

satisfactory funding arrangements.

The Advisory Committee should not duplicate the

funtions of existing bodies (eg the United Nations

Commission on Human Rights).

4.

CONFIDENTIAL