Meanwhile, 54-year-old Nanise Vucago, referred to earlier constitutional arrangements, noting that Fiji's 1970, 1990 and 1997 Constitutions contained references to God and Christianity, and said this should be reconsidered in the current constitutional framework.
Vucago also opposed Fiji's secular state provisions, arguing that the country's historical and cultural foundations were rooted in Christianity and that these values should be reflected in the Constitution.
Insert:Vucago on the law 24th June.
Vucago also raised concerns that citizens were not adequately consulted during previous constitutional processes and welcomed the current review as an opportunity for public participation.
On citizenship, Vucago says the definition of a Fijian should be more closely linked to iTaukei identity and registration under the Vola ni Kawa Bula together with traditional structures such as yavusa, mataqali and tokatoka.
She also argues that ethnic group identities should be retained for policy development, research and statistical purposes.
She further calls the Commission on resource ownership and benefit-sharing, calling for fair returns to landowning units from minerals and other natural resources and stronger indigenous participation in resource governance.
Vucago also calls for stronger environmental protection provisions in the Constitution and proposed the establishment of an environmental taskforce with powers to enforce environmental laws and address pollution and environmental degradation.
