COMMONWEALTH LAW MINISTERS MEETING IN SYDNEY

MELBOURNE, July 11 (Bernama) -- This week, the First Law Officers of more than 40 Commonwealth countries will meet in Sydney to discuss law and justice issues of common concern and help strengthen the rule of law, human rights and security across the Commonwealth.

The four-day Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) which begins Monday, is hosted by Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland, together with Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, Brendan O'Connor.

Held every three years, CLMM was the summit meeting of First Law Officers of Commonwealth countries to discuss law and justice issues, McClelland said in a statement Sunday.

He said Australia was proud to host the important meeting, on behalf of the Pacific region.

This year's meeting is themed, 'Fostering a Just and Secure Commonwealth', with an agenda that included sessions on improving cyber security across borders and the impact of climate change on security.

McClelland said: "There will also be discussions on the development of a Commonwealth plan of action to combat human trafficking.

"Other key agenda items include building International Civil Legal
Cooperation among countries, improving strategies to deal with corruption, coordination of international judicial assistance and strengthening laws to deal with forced and servile marriage.

"Australia will also be advocating for a wider take up of the Hague Child Abduction Convention throughout the Commonwealth."

The law ministers meeting allows for strong collaboration among law
ministers and attorneys-general from both developing and developed countries throughout the Commonwealth.

"Law ministers play a fundamental role in protecting the safety, security and rights of citizens," said McClelland.

The meeting is an important precursor to the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting in Perth in October this year.