THE 2013 Constitution must be amended as it was imposed on the people of Fiji without their input.
The paramount chief of the Burebasaga Confederacy and Na Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, shared this while stressing that the constitution, which was introduced following the 2006 coup, did not serve the interests of the people and must be reviewed.
She expressed concern over the lack of public participation in its formation, noting that when she entered Parliament in 2014, the constitution was already in place without any consultation.
“None of us had any say in it,” Ro Teimumu said.
“It just came up and we didn’t even know what it was about.”
Ro Teimumu also raised concerns about certain provisions of the constitution, particularly the powers granted to the Attorney-General, a feature she claimed was unique compared with other constitutions worldwide.
Additionally, she highlighted Chapter 10 of the document which provided immunity to individuals involved in past political events, including the prime minister and Cabinet members at the time, as well as the military.
She questioned why immunity was necessary if those involved believed their actions were justified.
“So, if the Amendment Bill is not going to be addressed, either in Parliament or in the courts, then in my view it doesn’t work well for our country.
“Because the other options are not good options.
“So, if the amendment does not go through, it does not go well for the future of our country.
“Because then people will just get fed up, and then they will take extreme positions.”
Ro Teimumu is adamant that the 2013 Constitution needs to be fixed and calls on the people of Fiji to stand by that.
