Constitution Review must be legitimate in the eyes of all Fijians - AG

Whatever constitutional review we undertake, it must be one that the people of Fiji can trust, and one that is legitimate in their eyes.

This is the message from Acting Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Siromi Turaga, while speaking at the Fiji's Constitution Review – Building Trust and Legitimacy discussion organised by Dialogue Fiji at the Suva Civic Centre.

He says in recent years, we have seen a real growth in conversations about our Constitution.

Turaga says that is something worth recognising, because when people start talking about their Constitution, it means they are thinking about their future.

He adds that over the last few years, the Constitution has become the centre of many discussions, in our courts, in universities, and in public forums.

The Attorney General says, for instance, we have had two constitutional references before the Supreme Court.

He says last year, the Supreme Court considered the interpretation of provisions on judicial appointments, and this year, it revisited long-standing questions about the validity of the 1997 Constitution and the interpretation of amendment provisions of the 2013 Constitution.

Turaga says at the beginning of this year, we have seen the establishment of a Constitution Review Commission by Cabinet, and its role is to seek the views of the people, to hear from Fijians in all their diversity about what kind of constitutional framework they want for the future.

He says this marks a new phase in our national dialogue, and it will be this platform where we see the more rooted discussions on the Constitution because it is a process that will involve the people.