Charter of the Commonwealth is a charter setting out the values of the Commonwealth of Nations as well as the commitment of its 53 member states to equal rights , democracy , and so on . It was proposed at the 2011 CHOGM in Perth , Australia , adopted on 19 December 2012 and officially signed by Queen Elizabeth II at Marlborough House , London , on the Commonwealth Day on 11 March 2013 . A total of sixteen core beliefs are drawn up in the charter , namely , democracy , human rights , international peace and security , tolerance , respect and understanding , freedom of expression , separation of powers , rule of law , good governance , sustainable development , protecting the environment , access to health , education , food and shelter , gender equality , importance of young people in the Commonwealth , recognition of the needs of the small states , recognition of the needs of the vulnerable states , and lastly , the role of civil society
2011 CHOGM
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011
Charter of the Commonwealth