Nawaikula plans peaceful march on 2013 Constitution in Suva

Former SODELPA parliamentarian and lawyer, Niko Nawaikula is now planning a peaceful march on the 2013 Constitution in Suva.

Nawaikula says he as President of the NGO called Standwithniko (SWN) Advocacy and Ratu Sireli Vesikula, a representative of the 2013 Constitution Forum USA Association, are organising the planned march.

Nawaikula says they are yet to confirm the date and yet to apply for permits from the Police and Fiji Roads Authority.

He says this is their democratic right to show their concerns regarding the 2013 Constitution rather than just commenting on social media.

Nawaikula says it does not matter that we have conducted 3 elections under the 2013 Constitution.

He adds from his perspective, there are many flaws in the 2013 Constitution and the one they are very concerned about is its racism against iTaukei by denying recognition and protection of all aspects of iTaukei group rights, like prior consultation and consent before amending the Vola Ni Kawa Bula, Native Land and iTaukei Affairs laws that were previously entrenched in all prior Constitutions including especially the 1970 and 1997 Constitutions, and which are guaranteed under ILO169 also known as Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 1989, and UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Nawaikula also hopes that people understand where they are coming from and push with the call for the removal of the 2013 Constitution. While reacting to Opposition MP, Ketan Lal’s comments who had said that the calls for the abrogation of the 2013 Constitution are not just undemocratic — they border on sedition, Nawaikula says this means Lal is being a racist.