Rotumans are demanding guaranteed parliamentary seats and a historic self-governance treaty to bridge the gap between symbolic recognition and real political survival in Fiji.
The Fiji Rotuman Association has ramped up pressure on the Constitution Review Committee, tabling two sweeping submissions.
Rotumans want a radical overhaul of the 2013 Constitution, saying the framework offers toothless representation.
Association spokesperson Agatha Ferei said the push was driven by a desire for structural survival, not division.
“This submission is made in a spirit of national unity, constructive dialogue and respect for the Republic of Fiji,” Ms Ferei said.
“It does not seek separation or special privilege. Rather, it seeks to strengthen Fiji’s constitution by ensuring that it fully recognises and protects the unique identity, rights and participation of the Rotuman people.”
The association’s blueprint targets four critical constitutional amendments:
n Birthright Recognition — codifying indigenous Rotuman birthright independently of legal citizenship;
n Diaspora Inclusion — recognising the sprawling global Rotuman diaspora;
n Citizenship Restoration — creating clear pathways to restore citizenship for overseas-born Rotumans; and
n Political Voice — guaranteeing dedicated seats for Rotumans in parliament.
Ms Ferei said a massive gap remained between paper-thin constitutional recognition and meaningful participation in Fiji’s democracy.
There is no constitutional requirement for Government to consult Rotuman institutions on matters affecting Rotuman land, culture or governance, Ms Ferei said, adding that the Council of Rotuma lacks basic constitutional safety.
“There is no binding duty to preserve the Rotuman language.”
The association points to global neighbours to prove that tailored indigenous protections safeguard democracy rather than weakening it.
New Zealand’s reserved Māori seats, Samoa’s customary governance protections, and Vanuatu’s traditional leadership models were cited as successful blueprints.
To cement this, the submission pitched a modern “treaty of self-governance” between the Rotuma Island Council and the State. The treaty would govern maritime resources, land administration, and local community development.
“The treaty would affirm Rotuma’s unique constitutional and historical status,” Ms Ferei said. “It would strengthen local self-governance while affirming that Rotuma remains an integral part of the Republic of Fiji.”
The group is urging the Government to move past superficial gestures.
“This submission asks that the Fiji constitution move from recognition to representation, from symbolic inclusion to structural inclusion, from acknowledging identity to protecting identity,” Ms Ferei said.
The group stated the changes would ensure Fiji’s smallest indigenous voice is never silenced.
