Commonwealth Welcomes Proposed Lifting Of Emergency Laws In Fiji
The Commonwealth has welcomed the announcement by Fiji Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama that the Public
Emergency Regulation (PER) will be lifted on 7 January 2012.
“The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, called this a positive step, which was long overdue. He recalled
that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) -- the custodian of Commonwealth values and principles -- has
repeatedly urged the authorities in Fiji to lift the PER and respect the human rights of all its people,” said the
Spokesperson.
"The Commonwealth also welcomes the announcement of national consultations on a new Constitution commencing in February
2012. The Secretary-General hopes that such consultations will be fully inclusive and time bound and that they will lead
to a genuine national consensus on the constitution, clearing the way for credible elections and the return of a
democratically elected government without further delay. The Commonwealth remains ready to engage as a partner and to
extend assistance as appropriate towards these ends."
ends