SECRETARY-GENERAL DISPATCHES FACT-FINDING MISSION TO FIJI

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General has dispatched a fact-finding mission to Fiji in response to the Security Council’s concern about the situation and its call for a peaceful resolution and the restoration of democracy.

The mission’s objective is to gain a first-hand assessment of the situation in Fiji through broad consultations with the interim authorities, representatives of all political parties and civil society.  The mission, which arrives in Fiji on Sunday, will also meet with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and the resident diplomatic community.

The mission is being led by Jehangir Khan of the Department of Political Affairs and will include political and electoral experts, as well as representatives from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  Following its consultations in Fiji, the mission will report its findings and recommendations to the Secretary-General.

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For information media • not an official record