The Pacific Islands Forum Fiji Joint Working group has expressed disappointment with the continuing delay by Fiji to provide a detailed elections timetable to be considered by the interim cabinet.

After its meeting in Suva today, the Working Group said they strongly encouraged the Ministry of Justice to present the timetable, noting the significant lapses in achieving the electoral milestone in the integrated timeline.

Some members of the Working group were also deeply concerned with the arbitrary detention and deportation of Fiji Times Publisher Evan Hannah and Fiji Sun Publisher Russel Hunter a few weeks ago and highlighted the implications of these expulsions on basic freedoms in Fiji, including the freedom of speech and opinion and the rule of law.

The Group said while they were provided with a statement by the Interim Defence Minister on the matter, they stressed that the interim government would need to clarify the threats to national security and sovereignty the two men posed as alleged to justify their expulsion.

The Working group was advised by the interim government officials that the matter was before the courts.