December 8, 2006
No. 154
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, today reinforced Canada’s support for Fiji’s suspension
from the Commonwealth.
“Canada condemns Commodore Frank Bainimarama’s attack on democracy and his
disdain for international appeals,” said Minister MacKay. “We are confident that the
suspension will send a clear and unequivocal message to the military commander that
the principles of democracy must be upheld. We stand with other Commonwealth
democracies in decrying this act, which defies the rule of law.”
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group met today in London and decided to
suspend Fiji from Commonwealth meetings and programs. Members will, however,
remain engaged with Fiji to encourage a return to democracy and the rule of law.
On December 4, Commodore Frank Bainimarama staged a military coup against Fijian
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase and his government. Fiji was previously suspended
from the Commonwealth in 1997 and 2000, following two separate military coups.
The Commonwealth is a multilateral organization of 53 countries that have declared a
commitment to common values such as equality, democracy and the rule of law. The
Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group is made up of nine foreign ministers from all
regions with the goal to promote democracy, good governance and fundamental human
rights. Canada is a current member of the Group along with Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta,
Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and the United Kingdom. The
Canadian High Commissioner in London, James Wright, represented Minister MacKay
at today’s meeting.
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