Appendix 2. The Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, 1995 (Issued by Heads of Government at Millbrook, New Zealand) 1. At Harare in 1991, we pledged to work for the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of the association, namely democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, fundamental human rights, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and just and honest government. We agreed at the same time to work for the promotion of socio-economic development, recognising its high priority for most Commonwealth countries. During our Retreat at Millbrook, we decided to adopt a Commonwealth Action Programme to fulfill more effectively the commitments contained in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration. This Programme is in three parts: i. ii. iii. advancing Commonwealth fundamental political values; promoting sustainable development; and facilitating consensus building. I. ADVANCING COMMONWEALTH FUNDAMENTAL POLITICAL VALUES A. Measures in Support of Processes and Institutions for the Practice of the Harare Principles 2. The Secretariat should enhance its capacity to provide advice, training and other forms of technical assistance to governments in promoting the Commonwealth s fundamental political values, including: • • • • • • • assistance in creating and building the capacity of requisite institutions; assistance in constitutional and legal matters, including with selecting models and initiating programmes of democratisation; assistance in the electoral field, including the establishment or strengthening of independent electoral machinery, civic and voter education, the preparation of Codes of Conduct, and assistance with voter registration; observation of elections, including by-elections or local elections where appropriate, at the request of the member governments concerned; strengthening the rule of law and promoting the independence of the judiciary through the promotion of exchanges among, and training of, the judiciary; support for good government, particularly in the area of public service reform; and other activities, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and other bodies, to strengthen the democratic culture and effective parliamentary practices. B. Measures in Response to Violations of the Harare Principles 3. Where a member country is perceived to be clearly in violation of the Harare Commonwealth Declaration, and particularly in the event of an unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government, appropriate steps should be taken to express the collective concern of Commonwealth countries and to encourage the restoration of democracy within a reasonable time frame. These include: i. immediate public expression by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth s collective disapproval of any such infringement of the Harare principles; ii. early contact by the Secretary-General with the de facto government, followed by continued good offices and appropriate technical assistance to facilitate an early restoration of democracy; iii. encouraging bilateral démarches by member countries, especially those 29