Reactions: International Community

[posted 17 April 2009,1545]

STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER LOUIS MICHEL ON SITUATION IN FIJI
(16 APRIL 2009)

Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, today expressed deep regret and disappointment regarding recent regressive developments in Fiji; in particular the abrogation of the Constitution, the sacking of all judges, the delay of general elections until 2014 and the curtailment of freedom of speech.

The Commissioner was particularly disappointed, since the interim Government had agreed with the EU on a plan which would have restored political order and democracy to Fiji and at the same time would have allowed the EU to provide substantial financial support to rescue the sugar sector and help restore the economy.

Commissioner Michel called on the interim Government to reconsider these decisions and to honour its commitments to the international community and ultimately the people of Fiji.

Commissioner Michel said: "These developments are unacceptable for the international community. Commitments must be respected. An early and inclusive domestic political process leading to a return to constitutional order and democracy in Fiji will allow us to provide assistance to Fiji, at a time when global economic prospects are becoming increasingly difficult."

Statement by the spokesman of the UN Secretary-General

The Secretary-General takes note of the ruling of the Fiji Court of Appeal which declared, among other things, that the removal in December 2006 of the elected Government was unlawful and the appointment of the interim-government unconstitutional. The Secretary-General appeals for calm and urges full respect for human rights, the rule of law and the judicial process.

The United Nations has also learned of the outcome of the meeting convened by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama on 9 April; 2009, which included a number of political parties while excluding a number of major ones, and the position taken at that meeting with regard to the President’s Political Dialogue Forum to be jointly mediated by the United Nations and the Commonwealth.

The United Nations, in consultation with the Commonwealth, will be reviewing its role in mediating a national dialogue in light of these developments and the prior understanding that the dialogue must be broad-based, inclusive, time bound and without prejudice as to its outcome.

Commonwealth Secretary-General deplores                                           abrogation of Constitution
(10/4/09)
 

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamlesh Sharma today deplored the abrogation of the Republif of Fiji Islands’ Constitution following yesterday’s judgment by the Fiji Court of Appeal.

The judgment declared the appointment of the Interim Government led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama to be unlawful, and advised the President to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to take the country to elections.

“The abrogation of the Constitution, the dismissal of the judiciary and the postponement of elections until 2014 are retrograde steps which take Fiji further away from the return to civilian constitutional democratic rule which the Commonwealth had been urging,” Mr Sharma said.

He had earlier issued a statement noting the Court of Appeal judgment and encouraging the military and political leaders in Fiji to act with respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and free democratic processes in implementing the letter and the spirit of the court judgment, and the actions to follow.

“These unwelcome developments are a clear new breach of fundamental Commonwealth political values and are unacceptable. These developments strike at the very root of the rule of law, which is the cornerstone of the values supported by the Commonwealth.

The Foreign Ministers on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will now be consulted to determine the timing of a CMAG meeting as soon as practicable,” the Secretary-General said.

“Very sadly and regrettably, the spirit and intent of the Fiji Court of Appeal judgment have not been honoured, and instead a new period of uncertainty and delay has been created. I encourage the leadership of Fiji, and in particular the security services, to demonstrate the utmost respect for human rights in the current situation of constitutional and political uncertainty. The constitutional rule of law must be re-established as a priority along with elections as envisaged by the Court of Appeal.”

Mr Sharma concluded: “The Commonwealth is always ready to assist with constitutional, legal, and other expertise required to support peaceful constitutional democracy in any member country. Its restoration is the right of all Fijians.”

Prime Minister of Australia
(10/4/09)

The Australian Government strongly condemns today’s abrogation of the Constitution in Fiji and calls upon the President to take the opportunity of yesterday’s Court of Appeal decision to take Fiji forwards and not backwards.

Yesterday’s Court of Appeal ruled clearly that the ousting of the democratically-elected Qarase government in 2006 was invalid, that Bainimarama’s interim government was illegal and recommended that elections should be held promptly.

This is the right cause for Fiji and the only way forward for the people of Fiji.

Instead, today’s decision by President Iloilo – at the behest of coup leader, Commodore Bainimarama – to abrogate the Constitution, remove the judiciary and defer any elections until 2014 is yet another backward step.

The delaying of elections to 2014 is completely unacceptable.

Australia remains firmly of the view that Fiji needs to be returned to democracy as soon as possible, consistent with the position taken by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders in Port Moresby in January.

At that meeting, Pacific Leaders also considered suspension of Fiji from the Pacific Islands Forum if it failed to act quickly to return to democracy. Today’s actions can only increase the likelihood Fiji’s suspension.

Today’s announcements move Fiji further from democracy and the rule of law. Australia’s commitment of friendship to the people of Fiji remains strong

But with the Fijian economy already in decline this is a grave and unwelcome development.