Talks start on constitution review but sessions not open to the media

The Attorney General’s Office is having closed door discussions on constitutional amendments with some stakeholders, and the media did not get any invitation to cover these significant talks.

Questions have been raised on why these important sessions are not open to the media for the public to know what is being discussed.

We had sent questions to Attorney General Graham Leung, Solicitor General Ropate Green and Fiji Law Reform Commission Chair, Raijeli Tuivaga.

While responding to our questions, the Office of the Attorney General says at this stage, the ongoing discussions are not formal consultations as such, but rather informative and discussion-based engagements with stakeholders.

The Office says the objective of these information sessions is to provide stakeholders with the necessary information and foster meaningful dialogue on our preliminary process towards the formation of the necessary steps towards the Constitutional Review Process.

The Attorney General’s Office says these discussions are essential in ensuring all perspectives are considered, but they are not yet part of an official consultation process.

They say they recognize the importance of transparency, and it was never their intention to exclude the media from this process.

The Office says the decision to hold these preliminary discussions was made to allow for open and candid exchanges.

The Attorney General’s Office says they value the important role the media play in a democratic system and acknowledge its integral role in the democratic process.

They state as the process evolves, they will ensure that the views of all sectors are heard, as necessary, in this process.

This will include future opportunities for media engagement once the consultations officially begin.

Last month, Cabinet had approved measures to initiate the review of the 2013 Constitution, and a Bill to amend relevant provisions of Chapter 11 of the Constitution will be finalised for tabling in Parliament.

Chapter 11 of the Constitution states that any amendments to the Constitution shall have the support of 75 percent of the Members of Parliament and 75 percent of the registered voters in a referendum.

Cabinet said a Constitution Review Commission is also expected to be appointed to engage the people of Fiji in a consultative process regarding the 2013 Constitution.