The New Zealand Foreign Minister, Phil Goff, says reconciliation and unity is needed in Fiji but it cannot be achieved by legislation alone.
Mr Goff was commenting on the intention of the Fiji Government to introduce legislation to, among other things, set up a Reconciliation and Unity Commission.
The Fiji Government says it wants to speed up reconciliation of differences following political coups, particularly the 2000 coup that killed 19 people and has led to high-profile convictions.
Mr Goff says it would be improper to enter into a partisan debate ahead of elections in Fiji next year but, generally, reconciliation's needed but cannot be achieved simply by legislating.
"I suppose what Fiji need to win is a consensus around the path towards achieving reconciliation. In other countries that's involved firstly holding to account those who have acted illegally and then allowing for reconciliation to be built on genuine contrition by those who have acted illegally for the actions that they have taken. That is what will be required for reconciliation and unity to be achieved in a meaningful way in Fiji."
The New Zealand Foreign Minister, Phil Goff.
