Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) Concluding Statement

1. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) heldits thirty-ninth meeting in London on 26 April 2013.

2. The meeting was chaired by Hon Dr Dipu Moni, Ministerof Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. It was also attended by Senator the Hon BobCarr, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia; Hon John Baird, Minister forForeign Affairs of Canada; Hon AJ Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs andForeign Trade of Jamaica; Hon Dr Abdul Samad Abdullah, Minister of ForeignAffairs of Maldives; Hon Dr Samura Kamara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of SierraLeone; Hon Bernard K Membe, Minister for Foreign Affairs and InternationalCooperation of Tanzania; Hon Winston Dookeran, Minister of Foreign Affairs ofTrinidad and Tobago; and Hon Nipake Edward Natapei, Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerof Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu.

3. CMAG welcomed the recent adoption by Heads ofGovernment, and signature by The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, of theCharter of the Commonwealth, encapsulating the core values and principles ofthe Commonwealth. It noted that the Charter reaffirmed the Commonwealth’scommitment inter alia to democracy,human rights, the rule of law, separation of powers, freedom of expression,good governance, tolerance, respect and understanding and the role of civilsociety. As the custodian of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values,the Group pledged to continue to promote these commonly agreed goals.

4. The Group reviewed developments in relation to thecountry currently on its formal agenda, Fiji.

Fiji

5. CMAG reiterated the Commonwealth’s unwaveringsolidarity with the people of Fiji, and CMAG’s commitment to Fiji’sreinstatement as a full member of the Commonwealth family, through therestoration of constitutional democracy, the rule of law and human rights, inaccordance with the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth.

6. Ministers expressed their regret at theGovernment of Fiji’s diversion from the previously-agreed constitutionalprocess, which had earlier been welcomed by CMAG and which had attractedwidespread public engagement and confidence within Fiji.

7. CMAG called on the Government of Fiji toensure that the steps now undertaken toward restoring constitutional democracyare credible and inclusive, and similarly enjoy the confidence andsupport of the people of Fiji, including:

a. a transparentand consultative process to achieve a constitution that accords with Commonwealthand internationally-accepted standards for democracy, good governance and therule of law, and that genuinely enjoys the endorsement of the people of Fiji;

b. the restorationof the structures necessary for credible elections, including an independentElection Management Body;

c. the ability ofpolitical parties and candidates to contestelections freely under fair and consistent rules and on a level playingfield;

d. withdrawal ofthe military from involvement in government; and

e. full respect forfundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with international law andwithout undue restriction, including freedoms of speech, association andmovement, and a free and independent media.

8. The Group expressed concern aboutongoing restrictions on human rights and reports of human rights abuse in Fiji,and emphasised the necessity of full respect for human rights and the rule oflaw, to create the environment necessary for credible elections.

9. CMAG noted the visit to Fiji undertakenby the Pacific Islands Forum’s Ministerial Contact Group on 12 April 2013, andreaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to continuing towork in co-operation with regional and international partners in relation tothe Fiji situation.

10. CMAG encouraged the Commonwealth to remainengaged with Fiji in appropriate ways, including the Secretary-General’songoing engagement with the Government of Fiji and other stakeholders, also encompassing further exploration ofoptions for the provision of assistance to Fiji in relation to democracy andthe rule of law.