The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has raised serious concerns over the 11-day public consultation period for the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026, warning that the rushed process could undermine meaningful public participation.
Commissioner Alefina Vuki says the timeframe, coupled with the proposed December 9 national referendum, raises serious questions about whether Fijians will have sufficient opportunity to understand and contribute to constitutional reform.
The Special Committee reviewing the Bill issued a notice on October 12 inviting written submissions, with a deadline of October 23.
“An eleven-day submission period simply is too inadequate for a process of such national significance. It is also not fair on the people,” Ms Vuki said.
She questioned how many Fijians had actually read and understood the proposed amendments before being asked to provide feedback.
“The Constitution belongs to all Fijians. As the supreme law of the land, it is a complex legal framework and not ordinary legislation.”
Ms Vuki said the public needed sufficient time to examine both the Constitution Review Committee’s draft and the Government’s revised version, which contained substantial changes.
She warned that simply publishing the Bill and inviting submissions did not constitute meaningful consultation.
“The constitution-making process must be genuine by including public participation and not reduced to a procedural and administrative function to meet an official requirement or a pre-determined objective.”
The Commission also raised concerns that rural and maritime communities could be excluded because of limited internet connectivity, transport difficulties and restricted access to information.
It said people with disabilities, older persons, women, young people and economically disadvantaged communities must also be given appropriate assistance to participate.
Ms Vuki further questioned the urgency surrounding the proposed referendum, warning that voters needed comprehensive civic education before making decisions on constitutional changes.
“A referendum is more than a voting exercise. It requires sustained civic education, impartial and accessible information, and adequate time for voters to make informed choices.”
She said Fiji’s obligations under Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights required meaningful public participation without unreasonable restrictions.
The Commission considers the 11-day consultation period and proposed December 9 referendum an unreasonable restriction on that right.
“Democracy is not measured by how quickly decisions are made. It is measured by whether people have been given the information, time and opportunity to participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their future.”
The Commission is calling on Parliament to extend the submission deadline, undertake comprehensive public education and ensure consultations reach rural, maritime and marginalised communities.
It also wants transparency on how public submissions will influence the final constitutional decisions.
