Analysis: what is the Commonwealth?

this week sees world leaders in London for the biannual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting but you may be wondering what exactly is the Commonwealth the Commonwealth is one of the world's oldest political associations it's made up of 53 states across six continents previously ruled by the British Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries it has a total population

of 2.4 billion people and includes countries like Canada Australia Nigeria India and much of the Caribbean three nations Cameroon Mozambique and Rwanda even join despite having never been in the British Empire membership is voluntary and based on a shared commitment to values including liberty human rights trade and good governance the Commonwealth Games the sort of mini

Olympics also takes place every four years but there are questions about the relevance of this organization its colonial history continues to cause problems particularly when it comes to anti-lgbt laws still enforced in 37 member countries today still 36 Commonwealth countries out of 53 have a total prohibition on same-sex relationships that is the toxic legacy

of British colonial rule that has got to change and it's tragic although grateful and good but the younger Royals are being left this task it's hoped that the popularity of younger Royals like the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry and fiance Megan Markel jetting off on tours around the Commonwealth will help secure its

future with Britain also set to leave the EU brexit ears are adamant that the Commonwealth will take on a greater importance their promising new trade deals and having taken back control of borders even swapping EU for Commonwealth migration Vincent mcaveeney euronews London