Commonwealth envoy visits Fiji

Cmdr Bainimarama says he needs more time to bring in reforms

A Commonwealth envoy is to arrive in Fiji as the international rights body Amnesty International called for global action over the regime's rights abuses.

Former New Zealand governor-general Paul Reeves will meet regime leaders to try to discuss a return to democracy.

Amnesty says China, a key backer of the Fijian regime, should use its influence against the "menacing" rights abuses.

Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth on 1 September for refusing demands to schedule elections.

The Commonwealth said in a statement on Monday that Mr Reeves would explore what role the grouping of Britain and its former colonies could take in encouraging political dialogue in Fiji.

China's role?

Amnesty's report criticised "the ongoing harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists, lawyers, clergy and government critics".

"Security forces in Fiji have become increasingly menacing towards people who oppose the regime, including journalists and human rights defenders," said Apolosi Bose, Amnesty's Pacific researcher.

Most recently, the military government has banned all government subscriptions to and advertising in the Fiji Times, dealing a serious financial blow to the newspaper.

Amnesty said the deteriorating rights situation demanded action, particularly from China, which has emerged as a major financial backer of the Pacific state. China recently gave the island nation a massive increase in aid funding and infrastructure loans, helping the military-backed government ignore pressure from other members of the international community, including Australia and New Zealand.

China nurtures ties with Pacific nations who follow the 'One-China' policy

Fiji has suffered four coups and a bloody military mutiny since 1987, fuelled by tensions between indigenous Fijians and economically powerful ethnic Indians.

Military leader Frank Bainimarama has insisted that he will only call elections after constitutional changes, by September 2014.

Fiji has already been suspended from the regional Pacific Islands Forum, and some European Union aid to the country has been put on hold.