A two-hour public consultation in Suva and another two-hour session in Lautoka were hopelessly inadequate for Fijians to meaningfully participate in the proposed constitutional reforms, says Fiji Law Society (FLS) president Graham Leung.
In a statement, Mr Leung criticised the limited time allocated for public consultations, warning that the rushed process had undermined public confidence.
“A two-hour consultation in Suva and a two-hour consultation in Lautoka was hopelessly inadequate,” Mr Leung said.
He said the Government’s handling of the constitutional review, particularly the distribution of Bill 32 of 2026 for public consideration, had left insufficient time for people to understand the proposed changes and make informed submissions.
Mr Leung acknowledged that the parliamentary calendar and approaching general elections had placed the Government in a difficult position.
However, he said the pressure could have been avoided if the review process had started much earlier.
He maintained that the limited consultation period had prevented meaningful public participation, with concerns already evident in comments made by members of the public.
The FLS warned that the inadequate timeframe had contributed to distrust and undermined the legitimacy of the constitutional review process.
Mr Leung urged the committee to take public concerns seriously and reconsider the approach being taken.
“We all need to take a step back and listen to the voices of the people. Why? Because the voice of we the people matters,” he told the committee.
He also warned against repeating mistakes from Fiji’s constitutional history.
“Let us learn lessons from history. Let us not make the mistake of imposing a constitution and ignoring the legitimate views of the people.”
The FLS said the constitutional review provided an important opportunity to strengthen Fiji’s constitutional framework while maintaining stability, continuity and national cohesion.
However, it stressed that any reform must be guided by constitutional supremacy, the rule of law, equality before the law, democratic accountability and judicial independence.
The Society also highlighted the importance of institutional independence, civilian supremacy, responsible government and the protection of fundamental and customary rights.
Mr Leung maintained that constitutional changes must respect Fiji’s distinctive social, cultural and historical foundations.
The FLS said meaningful consultation was essential to ensuring that the proposed reforms reflected the views of Fijians and gained public confidence.
Its concerns add to growing calls for more time to be allocated for public consultations on the Constitution Amendment Bill 2026.
