By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has reaffirmed his commitment to assist Fiji’s transition to a parliamentary democracy in 2009.

While traveling to Nadi, Fiji’s Interim Prime Minister, Commodore Bainimarama, stopped in Port Moresby to meet with PNG Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare. Bainimarama briefed Somare on the political situation in Fiji as well as the challenges Fiji faces as it plans to hold democratic elections in 2009.

The leaders discussed the Draft People’s Charter for Change and the Peace and Progress, two controversial reforms which would amend Fiji’s 1997 Constitution. Bainimarama told Sir Michael that “basically the electoral reforms being proposed seek to remove the current race-based electoral provisions in law and replace it with a one-person, one-vote system – representing equal rights of all Fijians.”

Dispute over the drafting of the People’s Charter for Change, Peace and Progress stems from the 2006 military coup of Fiji’s Federal Government. Since that time, the ousted SDL Party has expressed growing concerns that the interim government will not make good on its promise to restore democracy. In October, a three judge court validated the 2006 coup, giving legitimacy to the interim government.

Meanwhile, a new group, known as the Movement for Democracy, has banded together to push the interim prime minister to make good on his promise to hold democratic elections. The group consists of NGOs and political parties, including the SDL party, and the National Federation Party.

Mr. Peter Emberson, a representative from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, says that the goal of the group is to uphold the law and promote human rights.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Two years after Fiji coup, movement launched to push for return to democracy – 05 December 2008

Pacific Magazine – Bainimarama Briefs Somare On Fiji Political Situation – 07 December 2008