{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-735/annex/annex-1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-735/annex/annex-1.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2009/735",
  "legislation_title": "Council Decision of 24 September 2009 extending the period of application of the measures in Decision 2007/641/EC concluding consultations with the Republic of the Fiji Islands under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and Article 37 of the Development Cooperation Instrument (2009/735/EC)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-735",
  "path": "annex/annex/1",
  "kind": "appendix",
  "number": "Annex to the Annex",
  "heading": "AGREED COMMITMENTS WITH THE REPUBLIC OF THE FIJI ISLANDS",
  "text": "A.\nRespect for Democratic Principles\nCommitment No 1\nThat free and fair parliamentary elections take place within 24 months from 1 March 2007 subject to the findings of the assessment to be carried out by the independent auditors appointed by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. The processes leading to and the holding of the elections shall be jointly monitored, adapted and revised as necessary on the basis of mutually agreed benchmarks. This implies in particular that:\nby 30 June 2007 the Interim Government will adopt a schedule setting out dates for the completion of the various steps to be taken in preparation for the new parliamentary elections,\nthe schedule specifies the timing of census, redrafting of boundaries and electoral reform,\ndetermination of boundaries and electoral reform shall be carried out in accordance with the Constitution,\nmeasures will be taken to ensure the functioning of the Elections Office including the appointment of a Supervisor of Elections by 30 September 2007 in accordance with the Constitution,\nthe appointment of the Vice-President shall be made in accordance with the Constitution.\nCommitment No 2\nThat the Interim Government, when adopting major legislative, fiscal and other policy initiatives and changes, shall take into account consultations with civil society and other relevant stakeholders.\nB.\nRule of Law\nCommitment No 1\nThat the Interim Government shall use best endeavours to prevent statements by security agencies destined to intimidate.\nCommitment No 2\nThat the Interim Government upholds the 1997 Constitution and guarantees the normal and independent functioning of constitutional institutions, such as the Fiji Human Rights Commission, Public Service Commission, Constitutional Offices Commission. The substantial independence and functioning of the Great Council of Chiefs will be preserved.\nCommitment No 3\nThat the independence of the judiciary is fully respected, that it is allowed to work freely and that its rulings are respected by all concerned parties, in particular:\nthat the Interim Government undertakes that the tribunal pursuant to Section 138(3) of the Constitution be appointed by 15 July 2007,\nthat any appointment and/or dismissal of judges is henceforth carried out in strict conformity with constitutional provisions and procedural rules,\nthat no instances whatsoever occur, of whatever form, of interference by the military and the police or by the Interim Government with the judicial process, including full respect for the legal profession.\nCommitment No 4\nThat all criminal proceedings linked to corruption are dealt with through the appropriate judicial channels and that any other bodies that may be set up to investigate alleged cases of corruption will operate within constitutional boundaries.\nC.\nHuman Rights and Fundamental Freedoms\nCommitment No 1\nThe Interim Government will take all necessary steps to facilitate that all allegations of human rights infringements are investigated or dealt with in accordance with the various procedures and forums under the laws of the Fiji Islands.\nCommitment No 2\nThe Interim Government intends to lift the Public Emergency Regulations in May 2007 subject to any threats to national security, public order and safety.\nCommitment No 3\nThe Interim Government is committed to ensuring that the Fiji Human Rights Commission functions with full independence and in accordance with the Constitution.\nCommitment No 4\nThat the freedom of expression and the freedom of the media, in all its forms are fully respected as provided in the Constitution.\nD.\nFollow-up of Commitments\nCommitment No 1\nThat the Interim Government undertakes to maintain a regular dialogue to allow verification of progress made and gives EU and EC authorities/representatives full access to information on all matters linked to human rights, the peaceful restoration of democracy and the rule of law in Fiji.\nCommitment No 2\nThat the Interim Government cooperates fully with eventual missions from the EU and the EC for assessing and monitoring progress.\nCommitment No 3\nThat the Interim Government sends progress reports every three months starting 30 June 2007 regarding the essential elements of the Cotonou Agreement and the commitments.\nIt is noted that certain issues can only be effectively addressed through a pragmatic approach which acknowledges the realities of the present and which focuses on the future.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2009/735/annex/annex/1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:16:23.286741+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}