THE review of the 2013 Constitution is an opportunity for Fiji to right the wrongs of our past, says former Opposition leader Mick Beddoes.
He said while some may have affirmed the challenges of changing the Constitution, the process should still be explored.
He said he would in the meantime continue to support the reinstatement of the 1997 Constitution.
“And having read the comments by constitutional lawyer Jon Apted, someone I have the utmost respect for, who said that restoring the 1997 Constitution would be impractical, with logistical and institutional challenges and I certainly do not doubt what Jon said, because whatever direction we ultimately decide, it is not going to be easy.
“However, regardless of how hard and difficult it’s going to be, we cannot shy away from our responsibility to ensure for the sake of all our families who will follow us, that we take this opportunity before us to right the wrongs of our past.
“And remove the flawed foundations upon which the 2013 Constitution was imposed and governance conducted for the last decade.”
He said the last time Fijians freely participated in a Constitutional process was 13 years ago but they were victimised when they did not agree with the final Constitution.
“(It) was chaired by Professor Yash Ghai, however, the day after he presented the People’s Constitution draft to President (Epeli) Nailatikau, the Bainimarama regime trashed and burned the copies as they were being printed for distribution in the presence of Professor Yash Ghai.
“Shortly after on September 7, 2013, the regime imposed its 2013 Constitution and as members of the United Front for a Democratic Fiji (UFDF), we mounted a protest at the entrance to Government House.
“As leaders of UFDF, we also presented a protest petition to the President’s officials.
“Our protesting members (majority women) were arrested for carrying placards but were later discharged.
“That was not so long ago, so we must put in place a new and robust foundation upon which to build our new way forward, inclusive of meaningful and serious deterrents to discourage any future aspirants seeking to alter our future political direction by means other than through the ‘ballot box’.”
