Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has urged the people of Tailevu to support the proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that immunity provisions remain central to Fiji’s stability and efforts to move forward as a nation.
He argued that immunity had played a role in maintaining stability following Fiji’s past political upheavals and warned that removing it could have far-reaching consequences for individuals and institutions.
It could expose a broad cross-section of people to potential legal action.
“If we didn’t have immunity in 1987, we would not be running this country with the military, we would still be a military government operating,” he said.
He said the potential consequences needed to be carefully considered as Fiji weighed the proposed constitutional changes and their impact on the country’s future.
Mr Kamikamica said the implications could extend to people involved in events dating back to 2006, including members of the Government, police officers, judicial officials and military personnel.
Speaking at the bose ni yasana o Tailevu at Nausori Town Hall on yesterday, Mr Kamikamica said Fiji was at a critical juncture and called for unity and prayer as the Government pursued the proposed changes.
Responding to questions about whether the Government was relying on Supreme Court decisions to maintain immunity, Mr Kamikamica said the Government was not hiding behind the law.
The debate over immunity remains closely linked to Fiji’s history of political upheaval, including the 1987 and 2006 coups.
