The Council for a Democratic Fiji

The Council for a Democratic Fiji

The Fiji Democracy Movement of New Zealand in consultation with the Trades Union movements in Fiji and elsewhere, the Churches in Fiji, The Chiefs in Fiji, the Fiji Labour and the SDL Parties in Fiji and the FDFM in Australia, has established the Council for a Democratic Fiji (CFDF). The purpose of the Council is to coordinate the efforts of those pressing for an immediate return to democracy in Fiji and to ensure a peaceful transition to an Interim Government.

The Council will provide the following benefits:

1. It will reassure the people of Fiji that there is a responsible organisation ensuring that the return to democracy will occur with minimum disruption.

2. It will provide support, guidance and advice to those organisations and groups on the ground in Fiji looking for a speedy return to democracy.

The Council is an independent body comprising representatives of all the major stakeholders in a democratic Fiji which would have the responsibility for effectuating a peaceful transition to an Interim Government in accordance with the 2009 Appeals Court Ruling (’09 ACR) to hold elections in accordance with the 1997 Constitution - the only legal Fiji Constitution.

The mandate of the Council, after the demise of the current regime would be to: 1. Convene a meeting of the Great Council of Chiefs for them to appoint a President and Vice President.

2. Assist the President in the appointment of an Interim Government in accordance with the ’09 ACR.

At this point the CFDF would have fulfilled its purpose and be disbanded. It will then be incumbent upon the Interim Government to hold elections in accordance with the 1997 Constitution and the ’09 ACR.

The Council recognises that the 2009 Court of Appeal decision that the 1997 Constitution remains in force as the Supreme Law of Fiji, and that the December 2006 coup was illegal.

The 1997 Constitution will therefore be respected and implemented by the Council.

ENDS

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