The Social Empowerment Education Programme says withholding the full Constitution Review Commission report is leaving Fijians to “fill in the gaps” and turn to various sources for information about proposed constitutional changes.
SEEP executive director Chantelle Khan has called for the immediate release of the CRC Review Report and Draft Constitution Amendment Bill, saying people cannot make informed decisions without access to the complete documents.
“When people do not have access to the full information, they are left to fill in the gaps, turning to various sources that can make it difficult for ordinary citizens to understand what has actually been proposed,” Khan said.
“Make the full report public immediately so that our people can read it for themselves and make informed decisions.”
The CRC handed its Review Report and Draft Constitution Amendment Bill to President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu on August 31, but the full report has yet to be made publicly available.
SEEP said the absence of complete information could create confusion and unnecessary concern at a time when Fijians were being asked to consider potentially significant changes to the country’s constitutional framework.
Khan said access to information was fundamental to meaningful public participation.
“People cannot meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their future if they do not have access to the information,” she said.
“Empowering people begins with giving them information.”
SEEP said participation in the next stage should extend beyond political leaders and include young people, women, persons with disabilities, community groups, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, workers and businesses.
Khan said every Fijian had a stake in the process because the Constitution determined how the country was governed as well as the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
SEEP also pointed to the use of taxpayers’ money to fund the constitutional review and the public consultations undertaken by the Commission.
Khan said people who participated in those consultations should be able to see what emerged from the process.
“This is not about accepting or rejecting CRC recommendations,” she said.
Rather, Khan said Fijians should be given the complete information before being asked to form opinions on the Commission’s recommendations.
“The public deserves the full information instead of it being meted out in bits and pieces as though serving an agenda we cannot yet see,” she said.
SEEP said greater openness would help reduce misinformation, build public trust and allow for an informed national discussion about Fiji’s constitutional future.
