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Printed in 2004

When Commonwealth Heads of

Government met in Singapore in

January 1971, they agreed on a set of

ideals which are embraced by all mem-

bers and provide a basis for peace,

understanding and goodwill among all

nations and people.

The core beliefs of the Commonwealth

are expressed in this Declaration, which

embrace equal rights for all regardless

of race, colour, creed or political belief,

the association’s commitment to

democratic self-determination and

non-racialism, world peace and an end

to gross inequity, and its commitment to

practice international co-operation in

pursuit of these goals.

SINGAPORE DECLARATION OFCOMMONWEALTHPRINCIPLES1971

progress in the modern world. The associationis based on consultation, discussion and co-operation.

13. In rejecting coercion as an instrument ofpolicy, they recognise that the security of eachmember state from external aggression is amatter of concern to all members. It providesmany channels for continuing exchanges ofknowledge and views on professional, cultural,economic, legal and political issues among themember states.

14. These relationships we intend to foster andextend, for we believe that our multi-nationalassociation can expand human understandingand understanding among nations, assist inthe elimination of discrimination based ondifferences of race, colour or creed, maintainand strengthen personal liberty, contribute tothe enrichment of life for all, and provide apowerful influence for peace among nations.

SINGAPORE DECLA R ATION OFC O M M O N W E A LTH PRINCIPLES,1 9 7 1Issued at the Heads of Government Meeting in Singaporeon 22 January 1971

1. The Commonwealth of Nations is avoluntary association of independent sovereignstates, each responsible for its own policies,consulting and co-operating in the commoninterests of their peoples and in the promotionof international understanding and worldpeace.

2. Members of the Commonwealth come fromterritories in the six continents and five oceans,include peoples of different races, languagesand religions, and display every stage ofeconomic development from poor developingnations to wealthy industrialised nations. Theyencompass a rich variety of cultures, traditionsand institutions.

3. Membership of the Commonwealth iscompatible with the freedom of membergovernments to be non-aligned or to belong toany other grouping, association or alliance.

4. Within this diversity, all members of theCommonwealth hold certain principles incommon. It is by pursuing these principles thatthe Commonwealth can continue to influenceinternational society for the benefit ofmankind.

5. We believe that intern ational peace ando rder are essential to the security and pro s p e r i t yof mankind; we therefore support the UnitedNations and seek to strengthen its influence forpeace in the world, and its efforts to removethe causes of tension between nations.

6. We believe in the liberty of the individual, inequal rights for all citizens regardless of race,colour, creed or political belief, and in theirinalienable right to participate by means offree and democratic political processes inframing the society in which they live. Wetherefore strive to promote in each of ourcountries those representative institutions andguarantees for personal freedom under the lawthat are our common heritage.

7. We recognise racial prejudice as a dangeroussickness threatening the healthy developmentof the human race and racial discrimination asan unmitigated evil of society. Each of us willvigorously combat this evil within our ownnation. No country will afford to regimes whichpractice racial discrimination assistance whichin its own judgment directly contributes to thepursuit or consolidation of this evil policy.

8. We oppose all forms of colonial dominationand racial oppression and are committed tothe principles of human dignity and equality.We will therefore use all our efforts to fosterhuman equality and dignity everywhere, andto further the principles of self-determinationand non-racialism.

9. We believe that the wide disparities inwealth now existing between different sectionsof mankind are too great to be tolerated. Theyalso create world tensions. Our aim is theirprogressive removal. We therefore seek to useour efforts to overcome poverty, ignorance anddisease, in raising standards of life andachieving a more equitable internationalsociety.

10. To this end our aim is to achieve the freestpossible flow of international trade on termsfair and equitable to all, taking into accountthe special requirements of the developingcountries, and to encourage the flow ofadequate resources, including governmentaland private resources, to the developingcountries, bearing in mind the importance ofdoing this in a true spirit of partnership and ofestablishing for this purpose in the developingcountries conditions which are conducive tosustained investment and growth.

11. We believe that international co-operationis essential to remove the causes of war,promote tolerance, combat injustice, andsecure development among the peoples of theworld. We are convinced that theCommonwealth is one of the most fruitfulassociations for these purposes.

12. In pursuing these principles, the membersof the Commonwealth believe that they canprovide a constructive example of the multi-national approach which is vital to peace and