NO person should be shielded from prosecution because of their military rank or political position, says former Tailevu North MP Samisoni Tikoinasau.
Mr Tikoinasau called for the removal of all coup-related and political-event immunities submission to the special parliamentary committee reviewing the 2013 Constitution at Korovou, Tailevu.
“My recommendation is unequivocal – remove all coup-related and political-event immunities, whether inherited from 1990, continued under the 2013 Constitution, contained in legislation or preserved in the 2026 draft,” he said.
Mr Tikoinasau urged the committee to reject provisions preserving immunity in the proposed 2026 constitutional arrangements.
He called for a lawful process to address the immunity provisions in the amendment Bill, the proposed replacement Constitution and related legislation.
“No person should be shielded from lawful investigation or accountability merely because of military rank, political office, the period in which conduct occurred or the authority under which it was committed.
“I do not seek retrospective punishment for conduct that was not criminal when committed.
“I do not seek to remove the presumption of innocence.
“I do not seek to deny any accused person a fair trial.”
He also called for independent investigations, effective legal remedies for victims and a prohibition on future immunity for unconstitutional seizures of power.
“Truth-telling and reconciliation must support accountability, never replace it with permanent impunity,” he said.
Mr Tikoinasau said genuine reconciliation required truth, accountability and lawful remedies for victims, while any constitutional transition must protect ordinary citizens and existing lawful transactions.
He urged the committee to recommend constitutional and legislative reforms through lawful procedures.
