Non-negotiables set despite submissions

As the constitution consultations continue over the next few weeks, a number of non-negotiable principles set out by the government will be part of the new constitution despite what peoples’ submissions say on these matters.

These non-negotiable principles include a common and equal citizenry, a secular state, the removal of systematic corruption, an independent judiciary, elimination of discrimination, good and transparent governance, social justice, one person one vote one value, the elimination of ethnic voting, proportional representation and voting age to be 18.

It has been stated that there will be only one kind of citizenship so that all citizens will have the same rights - men and women, members of all communities regardless of religion or race.

According to the guide of the Constitution Commission, the guiding principles state that there will be no official religion and no religion will be given preference by the state, members of all religions will have equal rights to practice their belief and faith individually or in association with fellow members, and freedom of religion will be guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

The guide states that the constitution will have to establish and enforce principles of non-discrimination which is equality of all citizens and of other residents and it should make illegal any discriminatory law or practices which exist now.

Social justice is a broad concept built on the assumption of human dignity of all people and its aim is to secure for all the basic needs for a life of dignity.

The commission guide said the 1997 Constitution Review and the National Council for Building a Better Fiji said a major problem facing Fiji is the lack of unity among its people.

The reviews said Fijians are divided in several ways - by ethnicity, language, religion and wealth.

It said colonial policies divided them by institutions of government, unequal political and economic rights and a divisive electoral system.

The reviews said that the people have been so divided that they could not even agree on a common name for themselves as citizens.

The guide said the Reeves Commission was particularly critical of the politicians for exploiting ethnic differences and creating animosity among the people.


Story by: Vijay Narayan