Unity Fiji leader Savenaca Narube has criticised the Supreme Court’s ruling on the government’s constitutional motions, saying the decision tacitly legitimises Fiji’s 2013 Constitution despite acknowledging its undemocratic origins.
In a statement issued today, he welcomed the court’s easing of amendment provisions in the 2013 Constitution.
“The Supreme Court has conceded that the 2013 Constitution was imposed on the people.”
“But it then ruled that because of the passage of time, laws, and three elections, it has been accepted by the people.”
“This finding will disappoint a lot of people, including Unity Fiji.”
He also raised concerns about the legal approach taken by the Supreme Court, suggesting it favoured the “usurpers of elected governments.”
“Common law must be applied in its proper context,” he said.
“The constitutional procedure used in this case was not the proper legal process to test the legitimacy of the 2013 Constitution.”
“I believe the ruling favoured those that illegally overthrew elected governments,” he said.
“Fiji and its court system should be doing all it can to stop the coup culture. Coups have hurt the people a lot—they have no place in the future of this country.”