FORMER journalist Jo Nata has called on the Cabinet Special Committee on the Constitution Amendment Bill to completely remove constitutional immunity for coup makers, arguing its retention undermines Fiji’s long-term stability and security.
Presenting his submission at the public consultations on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Nadi yesterday, Nata insisted that eliminating the immunity clause is essential to deter future political upheavals and assure citizens of equal protection under the law.
“My reason or rationale for removing the immunity is very simple, and a bit different from others baying for blood, and that is to deter cowboys or potential coup plotters in the future or at least to make them to think very, very hard before seeking glory,” he said.
Nata proposed inserting a formal covenant into the Constitution’s preamble explicitly stating that coup makers will never receive immunity and must face prosecution in a court of law.
Nata emphasised that retaining impunity sent a damaging message to minority communities and ignored the genuine fears of Fijians of indentured ancestry.
“Retaining constitutional immunity has the effect of telling Fijians of indentured ancestry that Fiji is no longer a safe place for you and must leave.”
Mr Nata said that refusal to drop the clause signalled that the nation was not serious about preventing future illegal overthrows.
While advocating for accountability, Nata clarified that his plea stemmed from a desire for national healing rather than personal malice. He called on the public to embrace forgiveness to overcome past trauma.
“To do that we have to let go of the hurt we have been burdened with all these years,” he said.
“We have to forgive to heal.”
He urged the committee to heed concerns raised by the military and civil society groups against retaining broad immunity provisions.”
