FIJI will change its Coat of Arms to move away from the symbols of colonial dependency as the country is independent.
This was the explanation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights by its chairman Ashneel Sudhakar as the committee heard submissions from the Solicitor-General, Sharvada Sharma, on the Coat of Arms Bill 2015.
Under the Bill, the Coat of Arms which has the Cross of Saint George and a golden lion does not represent Fiji’s status as a truly independent and sovereign nation.
Mr Sharma told the committee the Coat of Arms was only allowed to be used on the uniforms of members of the disciplined forces.
He said it could not be used for commercial purposes such as a trademark or logo, advertising or involving depiction, engraving or embossing on merchandise. “The objective of this Bill is to provide for changes to be made to the Coat of Arms, provide for the declaration of a new Coat of Arms and to regulate the use of the Coat of Arms,” Mr Sharma said.
He said a person could not use the Coat of Arms for any purpose without obtaining the written approval of the minister.
“Coat of Arms generally as an emblem of the State has relevant rules and regulations regulating the use and commercial use of the Coat of Arms.”
According to the Bill, any person who uses the Coat of Arms or associates the use of the Coat of Arms with any action, speech, writing or any other means, to demean, disrespect and insult the State, the Government or any other member to the general public, commits an offence.
The Bill states that any person who produces, sells or displays the Coat of Arms without the approval of the minister also commits an offence.
The use of the Coat of Arms as part of a uniform, a costume, attire or any other wear for that matter, unless authorised by the minister, commits an offence under the Bill.
According to the Bill, any person or corporate body who acts in contravention or does not comply with the provisions commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction, in case of a natural person, a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or both.
And in the case of company, association or body of persons, NGOs or statutory authority or entity to a fine not exceeding $500,000 and for the director, CEO, office manager or officer in charge for the time being, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both.
The minister by notice on or before October 10, 2015 will publish or declare a Fijian Coat of Arms.
