Press release

UK welcomes progress in Fiji’s return to democracy

Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire calls for an election that meets international democratic standards.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Mr Swire said:

I welcome the news that Fiji’s Prime Minister Bainimarama has handed over the role of Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to a successor. Along with the recent appointment of the Electoral Commission, this represents a further milestone towards a return to democracy.

We look to the authorities to allow the Electoral Commission to act independently as they take forward the organisation of free and fair elections. We hope that all of Fiji’s political parties will be able to campaign without hindrance.

The UK looks forward to welcoming Fiji back into the Commonwealth family once an election which meets international democratic standards is held and democracy has been restored.

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Published 5 March 2014