Labour supports efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with Fiji

The New Zealand Labour Party supports the Government’s efforts to strengthen the diplomatic capacity of our Suva mission, says Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chris Carter.

“We support the use of diplomatic channels to try to make progress on the outstanding political issues involving Fiji, New Zealand, the Pacific Forum and the Commonwealth,” Chris Carter said.

“The links between the people of New Zealand and Fiji are strong. They are based on geographic proximity, a shared Commonwealth history, and strong people to people links - particularly the large number of New Zealanders who were born in or have family in Fiji.

“The Labour Party wants to resolve the problems that followed the overthrow of democracy and its replacement by a military regime. We support dialogue that seeks to achieve that objective.

“However, dialogue between New Zealand and Fiji must be a two-way process.

“Issues of concern in relation to Fiji have gotten worse over the last two years. There is no clear timetable or commitment to restore the rights of Fiji’s people to elect their own Government, in place of the current military regime. There has been direct interference by the administration in the independence of Fiji’s judiciary. There has been a continuing censorship of media.

“There are overt restrictions on people’s freedom of speech. There have been arbitrary arrests, killings, and beatings of people in police cells, as reported recently by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other respected NGOs.

“Labour believes that, if sanctions are to be lifted, these issues will need to be addressed and responded to positively by the current administration in Fiji,” Chris Carter said.

“Concessions by New Zealand and the Pacific Forum cannot send a message to the wider Pacific region that the overthrow of a democratically elected Government by force does not have serious consequences.

“Should Foreign Minister McCully meet Commodore Bainimarama in Hong Kong in March, we believe he will need to give a strong message that a clear pathway to the restoration of genuine democracy in Fiji is fundamental to improving relations between our two countries.

“Labour strongly desires the restoration of a positive relationship with Fiji and engaging in dialogue is important to achieving that. Success in achieving this however requires a positive response by the interim Fijian administration,” Chris Carter said

ENDS

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