EU extends sanctions against Fiji

[posted 31 March 2010. 1400]

The Council of the European Union has extended to another six months sanctions imposed against Fiji for failure to comply with its commitments to the EU regarding restoration of parliamentary rule and human rights violations.

In a strong statement issued in Brussels on 29 March, the Council said Fiji would receive no new support from the European Development Fund unless the commitments were met.

Fiji’s sugar allocations for 2007 to 2009 were cancelled and allocation for 2010 would depend on “the democratic process”. The extension applies until 1 October 2010.

The following is the media statement issued in Brussels by the EU Council:

EU extends sanctions against post-coup Fiji
29 March 2010, 16:33 CET

(BRUSSELS) - European Union nations on Monday extended sanctions against post-coup Fiji for six more months, over its failure to respect human rights and the rule of law.

"This decision follows the delay in implementing commitments the Fiji authorities made to the EU," notably on the constitution, human rights and the postponement of parliamentary elections, the 27 EU nations said in an agreed statement.

The measures, originally introduced in 2007 following a coup, largely involve stopping EU development funding for the Fijian government.

Aid to the country's key sugar sector is also hit.

The December 5, 2006, bloodless coup in the southern Pacific island chain was greeted by outrage in the international community and a number of countries including Australia, New Zealand and the US have imposed sanctions.

Humanitarian aid and direct support to civil society can continue.

Last month Fiji's military junta dismissed pressure for elections to be held before those scheduled for 2014 as futile, amid a barrage of western calls for a swift return to democracy.

The European Union statement said that "a credible and inclusive process which would result in progress in the interim government's reform programme and early restoration of democracy would prepare the ground for new consultations," on the sanctions.

The extended EU sanctions will now apply at least until October 1.