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The ashes of a Fijian professor who lived in exile in Australia for more than a decade will be allowed to return home after the swearing in of Fiji's new prime minister.
Sitiveni Rabuka provided assurances the Fijian Immigration Department would facilitate Dr Padma Lal's return with the ashes of her late husband Professor Brij Lal so he could be buried in Tabia, where he was born.
The announcement comes a year after his death.
"It is a privilege and honour to inform you that you and your family members are free to travel to Fiji with the ashes of your late husband," Immigration Director Amelia Komasisavai wrote in a Christmas Day email.
University of the South Pacific vice chancellor Pal Ahluwalia, who was exiled in 2021, has also been allowed to return.
Mr Rabuka said he would meet with both personally.
"I will apologise on behalf of the people of Fiji for the way they were treated," he said.
Mr Rabuka said the prohibition orders against the pair were "unreasonable and inhumane and should never have been made".
Prof Lal was exiled by former prime minister Frank Bainimarama.
The late Indo-Fijian historian told local media in 2015 his exile was based on the false premise he opposed Fiji's return to democracy after Bainimarama's 2006 coup.
He labelled the ban "petty vindictiveness" after he was a vocal critic of the coup that deposed prime minister Laisenia Qarase, telling ABC radio in 2009 that the then-government was trying to crack down on dissenters.
Former immigration minister Timoci Natuva said Prof Lal's return would have prejudiced peace, public order and security in Fiji.
Mr Rabuka was sworn in as the new prime minister on Christmas Eve after securing the support to form a tripartite coalition government.
