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Fiji on CHOGM agenda
[posted 19 Oct 2011, 1230]
The Fiji situation will come up for discussion at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government (CHOGM) meeting in Perth later this month.
CHOGM meets from October 28-30 and we are
reliably informed that Commonwealth Heads will discuss Fiji based on a
report from CMAG (Commonwealth Ministers Action Group).
At its 36th meeting held in New York last
month, (22 Sept) CMAG confirmed Fiji’s continued suspension from the
Commonwealth but urged the interim government “to take urgent, tangible
steps toward the restoration of civilian constitutional democracy, human
rights and the rule of law” which would enable CMAG to review its (Fiji's)
position within the Commonwealth.
It also expressed “strong concern” at the
continued imposition of the PER and reports of ongoing repression of human
rights under the PER.
The full text of the CMAG concluding
statement follows:
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meets in New York
22 September 2011
CMAG’s report on its role has now been
submitted to Commonwealth Heads of Government for consideration at CHOGM
Concluding
Statement
1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) held its thirty-sixth
regular meeting in New York on 22 September 2011.
2. The meeting was chaired by Hon Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister for
Foreign Affairs of Ghana. It was also attended by Hon Kevin Rudd, Minister
for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Minister for Foreign
Affairs of Bangladesh; Hon Dr Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jamaica; Hon Ahmed Naseem, Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Maldives; Hon Utoni Nujoma, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Namibia; Hon Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Trinidad and Tobago; Hon Alfred Carlot, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Vanuatu; and HE Mr Jim McLay, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the
United Nations.
3. CMAG noted that since its previous meeting on 28 April 2011, it had
concluded its deliberations on how the functioning of the Group could be
refined in order to improve its effectiveness as the custodian of the
Commonwealth’s fundamental political values. CMAG’s report on its role has
now been submitted to Commonwealth Heads of Government for consideration at
their meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia, on 28-30 October 2011.
Fiji
4. CMAG expressed its profound sadness at the passing of the Commonwealth
Secretary-General’s Special Representative to Fiji, Sir Paul Reeves. The
Group paid tribute to his deep commitment to the strengthening of democracy
in Fiji over more than fifteen years, and his tireless and dedicated work
for the Commonwealth in this regard since 2007. CMAG expressed condolences
to Sir Paul’s family, and to the government and people of New Zealand.
5. The Group reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s steadfast wish and continued
willingness to maintain dialogue with the Government of Fiji, as well as the
Commonwealth’s commitment to assist Fiji in all possible ways to restore
civilian constitutional government and return to its place in the
Commonwealth family, and so reverse the political isolation of Fiji. The
Group agreed to remain seized of the situation in Fiji, and to keep under
review further possible avenues of engagement with the government.
6. CMAG expressed strong concern about the continued imposition of the
Public Emergency Regulation (PER), and the reported ongoing repression of
human rights under the PER. It recognised that a credible and genuinely
democratic constitutional and electoral process can only take place on the
basis of a fully inclusive and participatory dialogue, and in an environment
of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of
expression and association. CMAG reaffirmed the readiness of the
Commonwealth to provide its good offices to assist Fiji towards these
objectives.
7. CMAG welcomed the outcomes of the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum held in
Auckland, New Zealand, on 7-8 September 2011 in respect to Fiji. The Group
reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to working in close
co-operation and consultation with the Forum and other international
partners, including the United Nations, in relation to the Fiji situation.
8. CMAG reiterated its regret about the necessity of Fiji’s continued
suspension from the Commonwealth, urging the Government of Fiji to take
urgent, tangible steps toward the restoration of civilian constitutional
democracy, human rights and the rule of law, which would enable CMAG to
further review its position on the status of Fiji in the Commonwealth.
New York
22 September 2011 |