Fiji must get to the root of the coups that destabilised the country, starting with 1987, 2000 and 2006, before any process is undertaken to amend the 2013 Constitution. Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu, shared in a media statement released yesterday, that there must be a comprehensive talanoa with full disclosures of what transpired in Fiji. Mr Seruiratu said any revamped constitution must ensure the strengthening of the principle of popular sovereignty, which asserted that the people were the ultimate source of power, hence they should have a bigger say in how they were governed.
“We need to know what really happened, and who was behind all of these events that shook Fiji, and pushed us backwards on the development path,” he said. “Such a talanoa is the basis for a full transparency and reconciliation process.” He referred to a public lecture held by Constitutional law expert from the Australian National University, Professor Anthony Regan, in Fiji recently.
Mr Seruiratu also referenced the end-of-week statement delivered by Independent member of Parliament Viliame Naupoto last week, reiterating the call to review the 2013 Constitution. Mr Seruiratu said as with all legal documents, a constitution must be considered a “living document” and should be subjected to review. He said the previous 1970 and 1997 were held in high regard, however, the events of 1987, 2000 and 2006 had still transpired.
“What this demonstrates is that constitutions do not solve problems.