India Adopts Commonwealth Nadi Declaration To Strengthen Democracy, Rule of Law.

By Ferdinand Olise

Commonwealth Law Ministers, including officials from India, have committed to new measures aimed at strengthening legal protections for people amid growing democratic, economic and climate pressures.

The commitments set out in an outcome statement from their meeting in Fiji yesterday followed three days of discussions among the Ministers, with input from diverse stakeholders, including disability rights advocates and legal innovators.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Communications Officer Media and Public Affairs, the Commonwealth Secretariat, Snober Abbasi, the central outcome was the adoption of the Nadi Declaration which commits all Commonwealth countries to renewing democracy by strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights and ensuring that people to take part in decisions that affect their lives.

The Ministers agreed to advance the declaration through cooperation, capacity-building and collective action, and pledged to combat misinformation, disinformation, foreign interference in democracies and to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, especially women, young people and persons with disabilities.

Recognising the growing impacts of climate change, the Ministers advised that countries should retain their maritime zones, rights and entitlements, even as rising sea levels alter coastlines.

Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Botchwey. said the commitments are vital to upholding the rule of law at a time when it is under attack, stating that when the rule of law is weakened, the consequences are felt in people’s daily lives manifesting in lack of peace, instability, vulnerability and exploitation.

“The rule of law is what holds that line. That is why we must defend it, actively and collectively. What we have agreed here is an important step in that direction. The task now is to work together to ensure our commitments deliver opportunity, dignity and prosperity for every Commonwealth citizen”, she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministers in their contributions recognised the essential role of independent legal institutions in sustaining democratic governance, and supported the Commonwealth Secretariat’s renewed focus on strengthening democracy through the rule of law.

Also, Law Ministers welcomed new resources developed by the Secretariat, member countries, and partner organisations, including tools to reduce the cost of civil litigation, establish family Courts and reform laws that criminalise poverty.

The meeting which was chaired by the Fiji’s Minister for Justice and Acting Attorney-General, Hon. Siromi Turaga, from 9 to 11 February 2026, took place against a backdrop of a steady global decline in the rule of law, with billions of people still lacking meaningful access to justice.

Hon. Turaga said: “As we conclude this meeting, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and partnership. We look forward to continuing our work together, building on the progress achieved, and translating our shared work into lasting impact for Commonwealth countries.