Lack of Progress in Fiji: PIF Ministerial Contact Group

[posted 15 Feb 2011,1700]

A visit to Fiji by the Forum’s MCG will only be worthwhile if its members are allowed free access to all those they wish to meet, says Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry.

Only then will it be possible for them to submit a balanced report to the Pacific Island leaders at the next meeting of the Forum scheduled for 6 – 9 September in Auckland, he said.

In the past, visiting diplomats and representatives from the Commonwealth Office and from international financial institutions were barred by the regime from meeting with leaders of political parties.

“If similar restrictions are to be applied to the contemplated MCG visit, then the Forum must critically examine its position in accepting such an invite,” said Mr Chaudhry.

According to a media release issued by the MCG on 14 February, Fiji’s Foreign Minister advised that Fiji accepted the 2009 Forum Leaders decision on Fiji (which led to Fiji suspension from the Forum). The minister also “confirmed Fiji’s willingness to invite MCG to visit Fiji in the near future.”

MCG Ministers expressed concern at the continued extension of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) which they saw as “an infringement of the basic human and democratic rights of Fiji citizens”.

Despite numerous calls from political parties, trade unions and civil society, the authorities have refused to revoke the PER even though it had promised to do so with the promulgation of a media decree which came into force last June.

FLP believes that no meaningful results can be achieved through dialogue of any kind until the PER is revoked and the basic freedoms of our people are restored,” said Mr. Chaudhry.

LR Vayeshnoi