Statement on Fiji - 9 April 2009

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, noted the significant judgment today (9 April 2009) by the Fiji Court of Appeal, which declared the appointment of the current Interim Government unlawful and advised the President to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to take Fiji to elections. The Secretary-General also noted that the Interim Prime Minister had publicly acknowledged the judgment and has called on the President. A decision by the President in light of the Court’s judgment is expected shortly.

“Respect for the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and free democratic processes are among the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth,” said Mr Sharma. He encouraged the military and political leaders in Fiji to act in the light of these principles in implementing the letter and the spirit of the court judgment, and the actions to follow.

The Secretary-General expressed the hope that the leaders and people of Fiji will demonstrate the utmost respect for the Constitution and for human rights in the challenging times ahead, and that matters pursuant to the Court’s decision will be pursued through the appropriate legal process.

In relation to the President’s request that the Commonwealth and UN mediate the proposed President’s Political Dialogue Forum (PPDF), Mr Sharma said that “the Commonwealth will, in consultation with the United Nations, review our role in the Dialogue in light of today’s events, including the circumstances surrounding and the conduct of today’s Political Leaders’ Meeting. Our further engagement will be considered on the basis of the fundamental principles we have articulated previously, namely that it must be a broad-based, inclusive and time-bound process without prejudice to its outcome.”

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: Fiji Islands
• CMAG issues strongly-worded statement after meeting on Fiji Released: 4 March 2009