Fiji has suffered four coups and a military mutiny since 1987, mainly as a result of tension between the majority indigenous Fijian population and an economically powerful Indian minority. Over five years have passed since the most recent 2006 coup d'état by Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, who has since assumed the post of prime minister. During this time, Fiji's military government has been heavily criticized for its infringement of rights to free speech, press, peaceful assembly, and association. However, Bainimarama lifted martial law in January 2012 and indicated that consultations on a new constitution would begin shortly thereafter, with a promised return to democratic elections within the next two years. He has stated that it was a priority to end ethnic tensions, and to put an end to a system that classifies Fijians based on ethnicity. Regulations introduced when martial law was lifted raised fears that government critics could still be silenced.

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