Don McKinnon concerned about human rights violation in Fiji [1]
Friday, September 14, 2007 - 16:43. Updated on Saturday, October 25, 2014 - 11:19.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General's spokesperson, Mr Eduardo del Buey, has confirmed that the Secretary-General had spoken today to the Interim Minister of Finance of the Republic of Fiji Islands, Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, during which the Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth's concerns about developments in Fiji Islands.
Mr Chaudhry phoned the Secretary-General during the course of a visit to Brussels. Mr McKinnon welcomed this initiative as part of the Commonwealth's ongoing dialogue with the Interim Government. The Secretary-General requested an update from Mr Chaudhry and acknowledged the Interim Government's efforts to return Fiji to full democratic and constitutional rule.
The Secretary-General reiterated his concerns over the Interim Government's decision to re-impose the Public Emergency Regulations last week.
"Returning to emergency regulations runs the risk of undermining public confidence and certainty about the intention of the Interim Government to restore full democracy as it had pledged," the spokesperson said.
The Secretary-General reaffirmed the Commonwealth's support to the ongoing Pacific Islands Forum process in assisting Fiji's return to full democratic and constitutional rule. He confirmed that the Commonwealth would be pleased to assist the development of a "People's Charter" for all Fijians but that fresh elections and an open democratic environment were required if the process of developing a Charter was to succeed.
The Secretary-General welcomed Mr Chaudhry's report on progress by the Interim Government to prepare for elections by March 2009.
"We are informed that the census in Fiji is underway and that is good news. The Commonwealth has reiterated its willingness to provide all possible technical assistance to the Interim Government in order to ensure free and fair elections as soon as practicable and within the timeframe to which the Interim Government has pledged itself," the spokesperson said.
The Secretary-General remains concerned about continued reports over human rights violations.
"The Interim Government must endeavour to foster an environment in which all Fijians enjoy their rights to be free from arbitrary arrest and intimidation, and to have freedom of expressions and association...fundamental human rights that are guaranteed under Fiji's constitution" said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson stated that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will discuss and consider developments in Fiji at its forthcoming meeting in New York on 29 September. Commonwealth, 13/09/07.