Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has highlighted the Fiji regime's treatment of some Fiji unionists as a reason why the country should not be reinstated as a full member of the Commonwealth.
Mr Carr has been elected Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which is maintaining pressure on the regime following a meeting in London on Monday.
The group says the interim government needs to implement promises over the restoration of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
Mr Carr says during the meeting he specifically raised concerns about trade unionists who had been detained by the military and the police.
They include the President of Fiji Trade Union Congress, Daniel Urai, Felix Anthony of the Fiji Trade Union Congress and the Secretary of the Fiji Pilots Association.
The Minister says while there has been some progress in Fiji, he would like to see a strong trend toward democracy and the rule of law right across the board.
