According to the Commonwealth Secretariat's website [1] citizens of Commonwealth nation make up 30% of the world's population. However, with the mutual decline of interest in each other as former British colonies forge closer relationships with trading partners and close geographic neighbours, the Commonwealth's direct practical importance has declined. It mainly restricts itself to encouraging community between nations and to placing moral pressure on members who violate international laws, such as [human right]?s laws, and abandon democratically elected government.
Fiji and Pakistan have had their membership suspended in recent years because of military coups removing democratic regimes. South Africa's membership was effectively suspended during the Apartheid era (South Africa actually withdrew of its own accord in 1961 before the suspension resolution was passed), but reinstated in 1994.
Heads of state of the Commonwealth countries meet biennally at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This was to have been held in Brisbane, Australia in October 2001, but was postponed until March 2002 due to the uncertainty in international affairs engendered by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
The Commonwealth countries also share sporting and cultural links, notably including the sport of cricket. A multi-sport championship called the [Commonwealth Games]? is held every four years, and as well as the usual athletic disciplines that includes sports popular throughout the Commonwealth such as bowls.
It is the successor of the British Empire, that was largely dismantled after World War II, in part due to the influence of the famous Indian pacifist Mohandas Gandhi.
Commonwealth Members:
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