Constitution Review Commission has recommended a major civic education programme in all of Fiji’s major languages ahead of any referendum on constitutional change.
The Commission said public understanding of the Constitution should be prioritised not only for a referendum but as part of a longer-term civics curriculum for schools and communities.
“Given the foundational role of the constitution and with Fiji’s specific history, submissions also supported the importance of citizens knowing and taking custodianship of their constitution,” the report states.
The Commission said this longer-term approach could also improve public participation in future constitutional reviews.
It has recommended translating the Constitution into Fiji’s major languages and ensuring translations accurately communicate the meaning and intent of the document.
“In translating the constitution, the Commission also recommends every effort be made to minimise translation gaps and ensure that the spirit of the document is captured for the benefit of citizens’ understanding,” the report states.
The Commission also addressed birthright citizenship, concluding that the issue would be better dealt with through ordinary legislation rather than the Constitution.
It acknowledged the significance of the issue given the large and growing overseas population of Indigenous Fijians and the continuing links between Fiji’s diaspora communities and the country.
On the Bill of Rights, the Commission said it approached restrictions on rights as “the exception rather than the norm”.
It noted concerns raised during consultations about the breadth and, in some cases, what submitters described as the targeted nature of limitations contained in the current Bill of Rights.
The Commission recommends that any restriction on a constitutional right should be required to satisfy tests of legality, legitimate aim, necessity and proportionality.
The recommendations are intended to accompany the process leading to any referendum on proposed constitutional changes.
