Review laws that restrict freedoms � Yash Ghai

Newly appointed Constitution Commission chairperson Professor Yash Ghai said the government should review all laws that restrict freedoms in Fiji to ensure frank discussions around the constitution.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Professor Ghai said this should happen before the process begins.

Ghai said Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama’s plan appears thought through, responsive to various concerns and provides a good balance of input from ordinary people and experts.

However, he said Fiji’s laws should be restored to a state compatible with the guarantees of the Bill of Rights under Fiji’s 1997 Constitution.

He also said the role of the military must be addressed.

Professor Ghai takes the road of pragmatism in reply to critics who say the whole process towards a new constitution is illegal after the abrogation of the 1997 Constitution.

He said the only way it seemed to him to return to a democratic system is to engage the whole country in a process of dialogue, consultations and finding some consensus.

Yash Ghai is confident the process will be open and transparent and that the government will honour its commitments.

He is currently drafting constitutions for Libya and Somalia from his base in Kenya.


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa