Fiji praised at CHOGM but still banned

Fiji has not done enough to have its suspension from the Commonwealth lifted, say leaders from the group of nations.

Fiji's new constitution and the promise of elections in September 2014 have been welcomed by Commonwealth leaders.

But the Pacific island nation has not done enough to have its suspension from the Commonwealth lifted.

The final statement from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which ended in Colombo on Sunday pledged leaders' "unwavering solidarity with the people of Fiji and their expectation of Fiji's reinstatement as a full member of the Commonwealth family".

But this could only occur, they said, through the "restoration of constitutional civilian democracy, the rule of law and human rights".

The Commonwealth Secretariat will provide technical advice and support for the election and has offered observers.

Commonwealth leaders urged that an independent national election commission be established to oversee the conduct of "credible and inclusive elections on a level playing field".

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2009 after 2006 coup leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama failed to meet a deadline to return it to democracy.

Fiji is excluded from all Commonwealth meetings and from the Commonwealth Games and other sporting events and misses out on most forms of Commonwealth assistance.

During the Sri Lanka summit Commonwealth Games Federation president, Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia, said the suspension of Fiji should be lifted before the start of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games on July 23, 2014.


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Source: AAP


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