There is a need to strengthen the Indigenous Fijian base according to the SDL party’s submission to the Constitution Commission.
The SDL party said by looking at submissions around the country from Indigenous Fijians, they have identified that there is a need to enhance the Fijian language as a national language, strengthen the security of land and safeguard resources like Qoliqoli, mahogany and minerals.
SDL is proposing that “Christianity” be proclaimed the state religion of Fiji.
It also said to honour our heritage, to guarantee our inherited liberties, rights and principles of justice, and to secure our national future under a sovereign God, the constitution should establish Fiji as a Christian state.
SDL party official Dr Tupeni Baba said they question the non-negotiable principle placed by the government that Fiji will be a secular state.
While making its submission to the Constitutional Commission, SDL said they want the name “Fijian” to be reserved for the Indigenous Fijians and all citizens to be called “Fiji Islanders”.
The SDL party’s official constitution submission is very similar to the August submission at Civic Centre when the process started.
Back then, this was disputed although it was highlighted by Fijivillage that there was an indication that the party had a plan to have groups making submissions at different centres around the country.
SDL also proposed that there should be no provisions for dual citizenship.
The party wants the term “sexual orientation” to be removed from the Bill of Rights of the 1997 constitution and they also propose that parliament and senate should be retained, some communal seats to be retained and the balance of seats to be won under the one man-one vote system.
The SDL party is also proposing that the Bose Levu Vakaturaga be established under the constitution.
It said that the 1997 constitution should be retained but some important changes should be made.
Story by: William Waqavakatoga
Feature
SDL wants Christian state
