Military-ruled Fiji remained defiant yesterday after its historic suspension from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum, rejecting the “punitive action” over a delayed election and warning it won’t be deterred from its chosen path even by “adversity.”
The coup-plagued nation was suspended from the regional bloc yesterday for what the forum called its rejection of democracy, freedom and human rights.
The suspension, the first in the forum’s 37-year history, bars Fiji’s leader, ministers and officials from taking part in any meetings or events and cuts Fiji out of development funding until a democratic government is restored.
Forum chairman Toke Talagi, premier of the micro-state of Niue, said Fiji’s rejection of fundamental principles like “the full observance of democratic values” and the promotion of human rights had given the forum no alternative.
But Fiji Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum said the military government “shall not be deterred from any of its objectives even in the face of adversity, created by some.”
“The [forum] statement ... falsely refers to so-called breaches of basic human rights, democracy and freedom under a military regime,” Sayed Khaiyum said in a statement. He did not elaborate.
He accused Australia and New Zealand of using their influence to force its suspension because of their “political agendas” and rejected the demand that Fiji hold elections within eight months.
“The untenable proposition that elections should be held at any cost immediately, even under a flawed system, is not only patronizing but demonstrates a lack of commitment to true democracy and sustainable parliamentary representation,” he said.
On Friday, Fiji’s military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, defied international pressure to announce elections, confirming they would not be held for five years.
That set the stage for his country’s ouster from the forum, which had given Fiji until Friday to announce elections for this year or be suspended from the group.
Bainimarama, who insists he has broad popular support at home, has consistently shrugged off international criticism and defended his decision to impose emergency rule and keep a lid on any challenges to his authority.
Bainimarama ousted the ethnic Fijian-dominated government in a 2006 coup and installed himself as prime minister. He has vowed to rewrite the constitution and electoral laws to remove what he says is discrimination against the country’s large ethnic Indian minority before holding elections. Critics say he shows little sign of being willing to give up power.
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