THE University of Fiji vice-chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem has called on lawmakers to define the term “chastisement” in proposed constitutional amendments, warning that vague wording leaves the public blind to its legal limits.
The proposed clause allows for the “lawful and moderate chastisement” of children for correction.
Speaking at a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 at the Nadi Civic Centre last Saturday, Professor Shameem voiced strong concern over Section 41C of the draft legislation.
She told the panel that leaving key terms undefined in the interpretation section creates dangerous uncertainty for citizens.
“There is no definition in the interpretation section of what chastisement means,”she said.
“Somebody said moderate, I’m not concerned about moderate, but what does chastisement actually mean,does it mean that somebody can be slapped, or does it mean somebody has to go to the naughty corner, or does it mean somebody is going to be told off roundly and sent to detention. Explain please, what does it mean? Until you explain, we have no idea whether it’s allowed or not.”
Prof Shameem argued that physical discipline varies greatly depending on the individual, making objective definitions essential before any law is enacted.
“What is moderate chastisement,is it a guy who is big, his idea of moderate would be a big slap, which would be hurtful and like an assault.
“That’s not right, you cannot impose on a country, on a nation, the word chastisement when you do not define it.”
