| <ASIA-PACIFIC | JAPAN> |
Fiji signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and was the eighteenth country to ratify on 10 June 1998. Fiji has not enacted domestic implementing legislation. Although it did not attend most of the treaty preparatory meetings, or the formal treaty negotiations, Fiji endorsed the pro-ban treaty Brussels Declaration in June 1997. It also voted for the pro-ban UN General Assembly resolutions on landmines in 1996, 1997, and 1998. Fiji is neither a member of the Conference on Disarmament nor a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.
Unlike most Pacific Islands states, Fiji has its own military and has made major contributions to conflicts such as World War II, and to peace-keeping in situations including Lebanon and the Sinai.[1]
Fiji is not believed to have ever produced, transferred, or stockpiled antipersonnel landmines. No evidence has been found to suggest the use of landmines in Fiji. Fijian forces may have been involved in their use in other areas in earlier conflicts such as World War Two.
In the absence of specific comment from the Fijian Government there are some aspects that remain unanswered in connection with Fiji's role in international peacekeeping. These include joint operations with the military forces of governments who may not have signed the Treaty, and whether or not Fijian military are or have been trained in mine laying or mine clearing.
Fiji does not provide funding for mine action programs.
| <ASIA-PACIFIC | JAPAN> |
[1]Captain M. Donoghue, New Zealand Defence Department, Personal communication with LM Researcher.
