Fiji was today suspended from the 16-nation Pacific Islands Forum for refusing to return to a democractic government "in an acceptable time-frame", the regional bloc's chairman said.
Military leader Voreqe Bainimarama — who overthrew the elected government in a 2006 coup — had been warned in January he had until May 1 to call elections this year.
But he has since tightened his grip on the country and last month declared there will not be elections until 2014.
"It is with considerable sorrow and disappointment that I confirm the suspension of the current military regime in the Republic of the Fiji Islands," Toke Talagi, the forum chairman and Premier of South Pacific island Niue, said in a statement.
The suspension took immediate effect on May 2, he said.
"This difficult decision, agreed unanimously between all forum leaders at our retreat in Port Moresby on January 27, 2009, responds to Commodore Bainimarama's failure to address constructively by May 1, 2009 the expectations of Forum Leaders to return Fiji to democratic governance in an acceptable time-frame," the statement said.
"It is also particularly timely given the recent disturbing deterioration of the political, legal and human rights situation in Fiji since April 10, 2009."
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