2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is a pivotal agenda-setting and decision-making space for the diverse community of 54 Commonwealth countries. With varying economic statuses and vast oceans between them, the leaders meet every two years to explore how they can pool their resources and innovations to transform joint challenges into exciting opportunities. The 2022 CHOGM is scheduled to be held in Rwanda. It will be the first Commonwealth Summit[3] held in a country that is not a former British colony or dominion or the United Kingdom itself.

Rwanda joined the Commonwealth in 2009 [4] despite the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s (CHRI) finding that “the state of governance and human rights in Rwanda does not satisfy Commonwealth standards”, and that it “does not therefore qualify for admission”. At the time, CHRI commented that: "It does not make sense to admit a state that already does not satisfy Commonwealth standards. This would tarnish the reputation of the Commonwealth and confirm the opinion of many people and civic organisations that the leaders of its governments do not really care for democracy and human rights, and that its periodic, solemn declarations are merely hot air."[5]

On 31 January 2022 it was announced by Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Patricia Scotland the week of 20 June 2022 as the new date [6] agreed with member countries for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

On 8 May, the CHOGM 2021 was postponed [7] by President Kagame and Patricia Scotland a second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

The position of Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, held by the government leader of the CHOGM host country, will be transferred at the summit from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to the President of Rwanda, who will hold the post until the 27th CHOGM to be held in Samoa and which was initially scheduled for 2022.[9]

Ahead of the meeting, ministers of parliament, youth and gender activists, and representatives from civil society and commerce will convene special forums [10] to ensure the key concerns and perspectives of women, young people, businesses and non-governmental organisations are considered in leader’s decision-making.

The theme for the meeting is 'Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'. Five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Environment and Trade.

Leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth[11] can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.[12]

There is expected to be an attempt by the United Kingdom to deny Patricia Scotland a second term as Commonwealth Secretary-General[13] The British government rejected an attempt in 2020 to automatically appoint Scotland to a second term and has reportedly lost confidence in her due to allegations about her leadership style and spending while in office. Kenyan defence minister Monica Juma was nominated in August 2021 for the position of Secretary-General by Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta.[14] She withdrew her candidacy in February 2021, saying she did not want her candidacy to further divide the Commonwealth.[15]

In April 2022, Jamaica nominated its foreign minister, Kamina Johnson-Smith, as a candidate for Secretary-General, prompting criticism from other Caribbean states that are backing Lady Scotland's re-election.[16]

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative,[17] Human Rights Watch,[18] and Freedom House[19] have all found that the protection of democracy and human rights in Rwanda have declined since the country joined the Commonwealth in 2009. There have been calls[20][21][22] for the Commonwealth to stand up for democracy and human rights in Rwanda at the 2022 CHOGM.

Such calls have included for Commonwealth governments to pressure CHGM 2022 host Rwanda to free human rights defender Paul Rusesabagina.[23] The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found on 18 March 2022 that he had been illegally kidnapped, tortured, and sentenced after an unfair trial. The Working Group stated that: "It is clear on the facts that Mr. Rusesabagina has been targeted by the Government on account of his work as a human rights defender, because of his criticism of the Government on a broad range of human rights issues, including unfair elections and a lack of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of the press. He has also challenged cases of arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings.’’[24] The Working Group called on the Government “to release Mr. Rusesabagina immediately and accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations, in accordance with international law’’ and “to ensure a full and independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Mr. Rusesabagina and to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of his rights.”

Rusesabagina’s family welcomed the Working Group’s finding, and were “hopeful that the world will listen to this call by the United Nations and put pressure on Rwanda to immediately free our father and husband”.[25]