Following the Commonwealth Secretary-General's announcement on 2 September that Fiji has been suspended from the Commonwealth, Foreign Office Minister, Chris Bryant said:

"It is absolutely right to suspend Fiji from the Commonwealth. The events of April this year showed a shocking disregard for Commonwealth principles, with the regime effectively suspending the constitution and invoking 'Public Emergency Regulations' which include restrictions on gatherings of more than three people, restrictions on the opening hours of businesses, and measures to control the press. All Commonwealth member states must adhere to the principles laid out in the Harare Declaration, including respect for democracy, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and fundamental human rights.

 

CMAG rightly demanded that the regime commit to resuming the independent and inclusive President’s Political Dialogue Forum process, supported by the Commonwealth and the UN, which would lead to credible elections by 2010. Despite numerous opportunities, the Interim Government in Fiji has consistently failed to meet CMAG's 1 September deadline for such a commitment. As a consequence, Fiji has been suspended with immediate effect.

 

We welcome the visit of the delegation of Sir Paul Reeves to Fiji from 9-11 September. I hope his visit will lead to the Interim Government to take steps towards Fiji’s return to democracy and the eventual return to the Commonwealth Family. The door is open to a Fijian government that respects the principles on which the Commonwealth is founded."

Read the CMAG statement on Fiji's suspension

Notes for Editors

1. The military regime took over in Fiji in a coup in 2006. Following more than two years of discussions and negotiations with the military regime, CMAG set a deadline for a commitment to 2010 elections at its meeting on 31 July 09.

2. Sir Paul Reeves will head a Commonwealth delegation which will visit Fiji to discuss the prospects for elections to be held as soon as possible. Sir Paul will report his findings to the Commonwealth Secretary General.

3. The decision to suspend Fiji from the Commonwealth is in line with the agreed policy of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the key agency in the region, which in August reaffirmed its decision to suspend Fiji from the Forum until democracy is restored.

 

Back to newsroom

Back to top