A sensitive but long-standing constitutional issue surfaced during a Dialogue Fiji panel discussion last night when former chief justice Daniel Fatiaki urged panellists to address Chapter 10 of the Constitution — the immunity provisions linked to Fiji’s coup history.
“I’d like to raise, perhaps, another elephant in the room that hasn’t been addressed,” Fatiaki said.
“It seems to be a pretty common feature in all our constitutions — our coup constitutions anyway — and I would like the panelists to speak about the existence of that and whether they have any thoughts about it continuing into the next [constitution].”
Responding to the concerns, Justice Minister Siromi Turaga said the matter would be handled through a formal Constitution Review Commission.
“There will be a commission — a Constitution Review Commission — so that’s where this issue will be dealt with,” Turaga said.
“It is premature to determine what should go in and what should go out.”
The minister also urged greater public participation in consultations, noting that despite strong opinions in communities, only a handful of people often turn up to formal hearings.
“At the end of the day, the views must be expressed,” he said.
