Commonwealth Vows Hard Line on Nigeria

Commonwealth leaders ended a four-day summit in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, by vowing to crack down on Nigeria unless it improves its human rights record and by stressing the need to improve economic ties between members. Human rights activists have criticized the 54-nation grouping of mainly former British possessions for not expelling Nigeria over its failure to introduce democratic reforms, but the leaders made clear that they wanted to adopt a carrot-and-stick approach. The meeting’s final communique confirmed that Nigeria will remain suspended and that if it does not restore democracy by Oct. 1 next year, as promised, it faces possible expulsion.