Fiji has been and continues to be an active participant in UN peacekeeping and other operations. Since the December 2006 coup, there has been no increase in the number of Fijian troops participating in existing operations or any participation of Fijian troops in new UN operations established since that time. This position is consistent with the stance of the Security Council on Fiji, which has called for a prompt return to democratically-elected government. In November 2009, the United Nations was informed by the Mission of Fiji to the United Nations of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces' intention to appoint Colonel Pita Driti as the next Commander of Fiji's contingent to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). In light of credible allegations of serious human rights violations allegations against Colonel Driti, the United Nations advised the Fijian Mission--and subsequently a senior military officer dispatched from Suva to discuss the matter-- that the Organization would not accept any personnel alleged to have committed human rights abuses or other illegal activities and that Colonel Driti would thus not be accepted as the head of the UNAMI Fijian Contingent. This decision was taken in accordance with standing UN rules and regulations that apply to all troop contributing countries.
UNDPKO Release
