Commonwealth to remain engaged with Fiji

The Commonwealth will remain engaged with Fiji.

That was the assurance by Leaders who attended the Commonwealth Heads of government meeting in Perth yesterday.

The meeting urged the Fiji government which is suspended from the Commonwealth to restore democracy without further delay and to respect human rights, and to uphold the rule of law.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting reappointed Australia in the form of Kevin Rudd to its action group of nine foreign ministers with new powers to intervene in member states that start to undermine human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

It reaffirmed the next CHOGM would be held in 2013 in Sri Lanka with the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard now taking on the responsibility of chairing the Commonwealth through to the next CHOGM.

The CHOGM also reappointed 70-year-old former Indian diplomat Kamalesh Sharma as Secretary-General for a further four year term.


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa