The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

Called on Commonwealth Heads of Government to speak with one voice to the World Trade Organisation and elsewhere to ensure that global regimes of intellectual property protection adapt to the health crisis facing many Commonwealth countries as that of the HIV/AIDS pandemic;

Emphasised the importance not only of the availability of access to new therapies for those Commonwealth citizens who are living with HIV/AIDS, but also the urgency of adopting appropriate and effective strategies of prevention to limit new infections.

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

Expressed its respectful concern at the majority decision of the Federal Court of Malaysia Lina Joy v Majilis Agama Islam [2007] 3 CLJ 557 deciding not to permit a Malaysian citizen to change her identity document to reflect her conscientious change of religious belief;

Emphasised the need for all Commonwealth countries by their laws to reflect the right of all citizens to manifest and practice any religion or no religion as their conscious requires.

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

Condemned the ongoing harassment, direct and indirect attacks by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, on lawyers in Zimbabwe, as documented in the recent report by the Law Society of Zimbabwe titled ‘Self Regulation at a Crossroads’;

Renewed previous calls upon the Government of Zimbabwe to respect the independence of the legal profession and the role of lawyers, as detailed in the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (adopted in 1990) and the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (adopted in 1998), and to ensure that lawyers are able to access their clients without any hindrance and freely discharge their duties in the interest of effective administration of justice;

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

 Commended the action of the legal fraternity of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during the recent judicial crises which culminated in the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary on 20th July 2007, following the annulment of the President’s Order by the Supreme Court;

Urged General Musharraf to separate the dual offices he holds as Chief of Army Staff and President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan;

Called on General Musharraf to ensure that the scheduled election is free and fair and held in accordance with the basic principles of democracy and good governance, human rights and the rule of law;

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

Reiterated its condemnation of the unconstitutional removal of Fiji’s elected government by a military coup on 5th December 2006;

Expressed concern at the continued erosion of the independence of the judiciary in the Republic of Fiji;

Called on the authorities to respect the independence of the legal profession and the right of lawyers to exercise freedom of political opinion and conscience;

The Commonwealth Lawyers’ Association, inter alia:

Expressed support for a greater external presence in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, tasked with the responsibility of eliminating sexual violence;

Undertook, with the support of other partner and responsible organisations, to monitor the response of Member Governments and to urge the Commonwealth to ensure that there is an effective response by respective Member Governments and, ultimately, by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council, the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, the African Union and other relevant international organisations; And for that purpose request from the Respective Member Governments urgent and regular reports;

Recommended that the International Criminal Court investigate and prosecute the crimes against humanity being committed, specifically the acts of sexual violence, in the Eastern Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo;

At the General Meeting of members of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) held on Sunday 9th September 2005 at 2:30pm at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, the Office Bearers and Council members for 2007 – 2009 were elected.