THE immunity clause should be removed from the Constitution, Ba resident Paul Seforana has told a public consultation on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill.
Mr Seforana said those responsible for the two past coups should be forgiven through the Truth and Reconciliation process, but immunity should not be provided under the new Constitution.
“While I state that the immunity clause should be removed, based on the truth and reconciliation (process), I humbly request that we move forward forgiving all of the instigators of the coups that have happened in the past,” he said.
“However, for the new Constitution, there should be no immunity clause.
“The reason is there should be a deterrence to those who are in the military and even those in public that may have these ungodly thoughts of usurping the government that they will know that they will be punished.”
Ba villager Mosese Nakarawa echoed the call, saying the immunity clause prevented those responsible for coups from being held accountable under the law.
“I believe that the immunity clause should not be in the next Constitution because we don’t want anymore coups,” he said.
“Those who carry out another coup have to be put in prison.”
The Constitution Amendment Bill retains immunity provisions from the 2013 Constitution.
