Detention of Fiji peacekeepers

  • Media release

Australia condemns the detention, on 28 August, of 44 Fiji peacekeepers in the Golan Heights by armed groups.

An additional 72 Filipino peacekeepers have also been surrounded and confined to barracks in the same area.

The peacekeepers are serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

As a member of the UN Security Council, Australia demands the unconditional and immediate release of all the detained United Nations peacekeepers.

Fijian personnel have played an important role in UN peacekeeping operations over many years.

I have telephoned Fiji Prime Minister Bainimarama and Foreign Minister Kubuabola to offer Australia's strong support, including our intelligence resources, for Fiji at this difficult time and assured them that Australia will use its position on the UN Security Council to maintain focus on this issue.

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