'When rule of law weakens, people pay the price'

When the rule of law weakens, it is ordinary people who suffer first — through deepening inequality, eroding democracy and stalled development, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has warned.

Ms Botchwey delivered the message while opening the 2026 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau this morning, urging member states to work together to turn the rule of law into a true Commonwealth advantage.

She said the meeting was taking place at a time of profound global uncertainty, with legal systems across regions under increasing strain.

“We are living through a period of unprecedented turbulence — political, economic, environmental, and technological. And around the world, the rule of law is under pressure in ways we have not seen in modern times,” Ms Botchwey said.

She said laws were being bent or broken without consequence, institutions were being tested and public trust was being eroded.

“When the rule of law weakens, it is never abstract. People pay the price. Inequality deepens, democracy frays and development stalls.

“This is the cost of the rule of force replacing the rule of law. That is why closing our eyes to the erosion of standards or the assault on long-established norms is no longer an option.”

Ms Botchwey said the growing democratic recession lay at the heart of the weakening rule of law and warned that failing to take firm action against impunity risked destroying the fabric of civilisation.

She said history would judge how the Commonwealth responded to this moment.

“For the Commonwealth, the rule of law is not just a technical concept or a legal tradition. It is foundational to who we are,” she said.

“It is enshrined in our Charter, reflected in the Latimer House Principles and central to our new Strategic Plan. When grounded in human rights, the rule of law becomes something deeply human.”

Ms Botchwey said the rule of law gave young people a voice in democracy, workers dignity and protection, vulnerable communities the right to a healthy environment, and citizens confidence that institutions would serve — not silence — them.

She highlighted the Commonwealth’s shared legal traditions and common law heritage as a unique strength but cautioned that such strengths must translate into real benefits for people.

“But strength only matters if it delivers for our people. And you will do so here in the Pacific, where the changing tides we speak of are not metaphor alone, but lived reality,” she said.

Ms Botchwey said the meeting in Fiji was about turning shared values into action — defending democracy, human rights and good governance, building fair and resilient economies, protecting people and the planet through justice, and restoring trust between institutions and the public.

Delegates will consider practical tools such as model laws, contracts and shared principles, she said, emphasising that these must be instruments for delivery rather than theory.

Over the coming days, ministers will focus on key legal challenges including democratic resilience and participation, responsible use of technology in justice systems, climate change and maritime certainty, and access to justice for women, young people and vulnerable communities.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Siromi Turaga, who is chairing the meeting, acknowledged the strong partnership among member states.

“By harnessing our collective wisdom, experience and the rich diversity each of you contributes, I am confident our deliberations will be productive, insightful and focused on practical solutions that move us forward,” Mr Turaga said.

“Your presence is a powerful reflection of the strong bonds of cooperation, mutual respect and shared values that unite our Commonwealth vuvale.”