Ethnic identity must be protected, says George Speight.
Making his submission to the Constitution Review Commission, he called for Fiji’s Constitution to place greater emphasis on protecting ethnic identity, arguing that the concept of a common national name has weakened the recognition of indigenous and other ethnic identities.
Mr Speight said while he understood the reasoning behind a common national identity, he believed the concept was fundamentally flawed.
“The idea of a common name, I understand the principle behind it, and I understand the reasoning behind it, but it’s flawed,” he said.
“It makes people second guess something so special and so unique and God given, your ethnic identity.”
Mr Speight said constitutional reform should first address issues of justice to ensure Fiji’s diverse communities could coexist harmoniously.
“Unless we fix the justice element, all of the different ethnic groups in our country can’t live together very well, because it’s an unfair society.”
While acknowledging that the Constitution’s Bill of Rights protected all citizens, Mr Speight said every ethnic community should be allowed to preserve its distinct identity and traditions.
“The Bill of Rights is great, covers everybody, no problem, but each ethnic group has its desire to continue with its uniqueness, and that must be encouraged, but not at the expense of the greater good.”
He also urged communities to be willing to set aside cultural practices that may conflict with the broader national interest.
“There are things within each ethnic group’s particular beliefs, way of doing things that if it’s not good for the greater good, then they must voluntarily just aid this, we just set aside.”
Mr Speight appeared before the Constitutional Review Commission as part of its nationwide public consultations on proposed constitutional reforms.
