SODELPA is calling for the removal of the entrenched immunity provisions in the 2013 Constitution that protect those involved in the unconstitutional overthrow of elected governments.
Presenting the party's submission to the Constitutional Review Commission, SODELPA Leader Aseri Radrodro says the Constitution should prohibit future immunity for those involved in treason, coups, torture, serious human rights abuses, serious corruption, and the unlawful seizure of power.
Radrodro says the review of the 2013 Constitution must not be treated as a narrow legal exercise.
He says it should instead be a national process of healing, reconstruction, and democratic renewal.
He adds that a durable constitution must be owned by the people, reflect the lived realities of Fiji's communities, protect equal citizenship, restore confidence in indigenous institutions, strengthen the rule of law, and establish institutions that are independent and not easily captured.
Radrodro says SODELPA is also recommending the reinstatement of "Fiji Islander" as the common civic national identity for all citizens, while preserving the term "Fijian" for indigenous iTaukei as the First Nations of Fiji, as recognised in the Vola ni Kawa Bula.
He says this should be done in a way that guarantees equal citizenship and equal human dignity for all, while recognising the rights of Rotumans, Indo-Fijians, Banabans, descendants of Solomon Islanders, Europeans, Chinese, and all other communities who call Fiji home.
Radrodro also says the role of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces should be strengthened and adequately resourced to support nation-building, strategic defence, youth development, border security, crisis response, and regional security.
He says SODELPA is proposing the establishment of a National Truth, Reconciliation and Constitutional Accountability Commission to address the legacy of past coups, support restorative justice, document institutional failures, recommend reparations, and consider conditional amnesty only where truth, accountability, and victim participation are achieved.
The SODELPA Leader also says the Constitution should formally recognise the Great Council of Chiefs, as an independent, non-partisan, and properly funded institution of the Vanua.
He says it should be responsible for safeguarding iTaukei culture, language, traditional knowledge, customary leadership, community cohesion, reconciliation, and advising on matters affecting the Vanua.
He says the Great Council of Chiefs should also have an advisory role on national security through representation on the National Security Council, resource management, climate change, and all matters affecting indigenous people, consistent with its historical role.
Radrodro says the Constitution should guarantee equal citizenship, a strong Bill of Rights, and progressive social and economic rights, including access to education, healthcare, housing, water, food, employment, social security, disability inclusion, women's and children's rights, youth participation, labour rights, digital rights, and environmental protection.
He also says the Constitution should place the RFMF under clear civilian democratic control, remove any constitutional oversight role, and refocus the military on external defence, maritime security, peacekeeping, disaster response, and national resilience.
Radrodro adds that SODELPA is proposing a more representative and accountable Parliament through a personalised national open-list electoral system.
He says the party also supports establishing a House of Review, or Senate, to ensure provincial, maritime, Rotumans, youth, women, persons with disabilities, customary institutions, and civil society are represented.
