Call for international observers in Fiji

Published: 1:14PM Monday April 23, 2001

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Several countries have advised Fiji to allow international observers to oversee the general elections, due to be held in August, to ensure that the poll is fair and transparent.

The caretaker foreign minister, Kaliopate Tavola, has told the Fiji Sun that Japan is ready to send observers.

He says the European parliament has also offered to send observers and Britain has asked whether Fiji is looking for help in overseeing the elections.

Tavoal says he has put these offers to the caretaker government, which has yet to decide on the issue.

Fiji has already received offers of financial and technical assistance in connection with the elections from Britain, Japan the European Union and New Zealand.

Australia has already offered $US500,000 ($NZ1.204 million) towards elections costs.

Rights group may be forcibly dissolved

An influential Fiji non-governmental organisation, the Citizens Constitutional Forum, which has been spearheading the fight for the restoration of the 1997 constitution and human rights, is under threat of de-registration by the authorities there.

In a notice issued at the weekend, the registrar of charitable trusts says the CCF must justify its existence within 30 days or face being dissolved.

The registrar says he is of the opinion that the CFF's registration under the Charitable Trust Act was done by mistake and that it was no longer a charitable trust.

He cites the CCF's activities leading up to the passage of the 1997 Constitution four years ago, its court-ordered re-validation after its purported abrogation and its current constitutional challenge against the president's decision to dissolve parliament and call for fresh elections.

One of the trustees of the CCF, former high court judge, Ratu Jone Madraiwiwi, says they will respond to the notice after they have discussed it.

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