Former Minister for Youth and Sports Rajesh Singh, has spoken out strongly against the immunity clause in Fiji’s 2013 Constitution, saying it protects the people who hurt others during the coups.
Speaking at a truth and reconciliation hearing in Suva yesterday, Mr Singh said justice must apply to everyone, no matter who they are.
“No one is above the law,” he said, calling the 1997 Constitution the best Fiji has had.
He criticised the 2013 Constitution saying it protects the people who have caused wounds that may never heal.
He says the immunity clause must be removed so that those responsible for harm can face justice.
“I would like to see the immunity clause removed and people face the court.”
He questioned why only one person has been held accountable for his actions so far.
“Why is the person responsible for the 2000 coup the only one who faced the consequences while the other oppressors have not?”
Mr Singh also spoke out against racism in politics, saying it divides people.
“If a politician is racist, they shouldn’t be in politics because they will only divide the people.”
He believes true healing and peace in Fiji will only come when the law is fair for everyone, and when political leaders stop using race to gain power.
“These greedy politicians brainwashed them,” speaking about how some leaders used the coup to stir racial division.
Survivor says coups destroy lives
THE coups in Fiji did more than change governments, they tore lives apart, says Rajesh Singh, a survivor of Fiji’s coups.
Mr Singh shared an emotional story during a truth and reconciliation session yesterday, describing how Fiji’s three coups deeply affected him and others.
Mr Singh said his childhood was happy and stable.
“My upbringing was good, and we had a very good life,” he said.
But that changed after the coups.
“It’s still haunting me”.
He described the 2000 coup as the worst of them all.
“We lost everything.”
He said what he went through continues to affect him today.
Mr Singh said speaking out has helped him begin to heal.
“I’ve now got the courage. Even though I broke down it helped me.”
He believes that talking about it openly has helped him heal “75 per cent of his pain”.
However, the rest of the healing, he believes, can only happen if survivors and those responsible meet face to face.
“We come face to face and speak about it together and take it up to God.”
“Reconciliation shouldn’t just be for the sake of it but must be done from the heart.”
He has urged others affected by the 1987, 2000, and 2006 coups to come forward.
“Come out and speak and let it all out.”
Mr Singh ended by calling for unity across all races.
“There is no kaidia, no kaiviti or kailoma. We are one.
