The Constitution Amendment Bill tabled in parliament today proposes all citizens of Fiji are to continue to be known as Fijians, and Indigenous Fijians may be referred to as iTaukeinivanua o Viti.
The Bill tabled by parliament also says that the Republic of Fiji is a sovereign democratic State founded on the values of Christianity and family values; respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law; an independent, impartial, competent and accessible system of justice; equality for all and care for the less fortunate based on the values in the Bill of Rights; human dignity, respect for the individual, personal integrity and responsibility, civic involvement and mutual support; good governance, including the limitation and separation of powers; transparency and accountability; common and equal citizenry and national unity; and a prudent, efficient and sustainable relationship with nature.
The Bill says although religion and the State are separate, the people of the Republic of Fiji acknowledge that worship and reverence for God are the source of good governance and leadership.
It also states that religious liberty is a founding principle of the State, religious belief is personal and that religious liberty means the State and all persons holding public office must treat all religions equally; the State and all persons holding public office must not dictate any religious belief; the State and all persons holding public office must not prefer or advance, by any means, any particular religion, religious denomination, religious belief, or religious practice over another, or over any non-religious belief; and no person may assert any religious belief as a legal reason to disregard this Constitution or any other written law.
Citizens of Fiji may also hold multiple citizenship, which means that upon accepting the citizenship of a foreign country, a person remains a citizen of Fiji unless he or she renounces that status; a former citizen of Fiji, who lost that citizenship upon acquiring foreign citizenship, may regain citizenship of Fiji, while retaining that foreign citizenship unless the laws of that foreign country provide otherwise; and upon becoming a citizen of Fiji, a foreign person may retain his or her
existing citizenship unless the laws of that foreign country provide otherwise.
The Constitution Amendment Bill also states that any attempt to establish a Government other than in compliance with this Constitution is unlawful, and anything done to further that attempt is invalid and of no force or effect; and no immunities can lawfully be granted under any law to any person.
The Bill also states that every person has the right to free early childhood education; free primary and secondary education; and free further education for persons who were unable to complete their
primary and secondary education.
It also says conversational and contemporary iTaukei, Rotuman and Hindi languages must
be taught in all primary schools.
The State may also direct any educational institution to teach subjects pertaining to health, civic education and issues of national interest, and any educational institution must comply with any such directions made by the State.
