‘Declare PIF will fall under Privileges, Immunities Act’

DECLARE that the Pacific Islands Forum will fall under the Privileges and Immunities Act, said former permanent secretary in the Prime Minister’s office, Jioji Kotobalavu.

He stated this in his submission to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence which reviewed the 2005 Agreement Establishing the Pacific Islands Forum.

“Because Fiji is the host country to the PIF Secretariat and regularly hosts many forum meetings, I would strongly recommend that Parliament formally ratifies the 2005 PIF Agreement,” he said.

“In addition, Parliament is also to require the Government (and specifically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to ensure that the PIF, as established under the 2005 Agreement, is properly declared under section 6 (1) of the Privileges and Immunities Act (Cap 8) as an international organisation.

“This is for the purpose of enabling the entitlement of the PIF, its Fiji-based Secretariat, and its expatriate staff and their families, to the diplomatic privileges and immunities as set out in the Act’s various schedules.”

Mr Kotobalavu said Fiji’s obligations to provide this commitment would be as a party to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The committee recommended Parliament ratify the 2005 Agreement Establishing the Pacific Islands Forum.

Write to us at letters@fijitimes.com.fj to share your views on this topic