The Fiji Labour Party says the current National Referendum Bill is too restrictive and fails to meet accepted democratic standards, calling for several clauses to be removed to allow a freer and fairer process.
This was highlighted by Fiji Labour Party representative Dr Sunil Kumar during his submission on the Bill before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Dr Kumar stressed that the party has been highly critical of the Bill, particularly Clauses 22, 23, 27 and Clause 11, which he says place serious limits on how a referendum would be conducted.
He says the Fiji Labour Party's position is that the Bill is unconstitutional and undemocratic as it denies governmental freedom and political rights.
He says Clause 22 also allows arrest without warrant for display of materials, and police can arrest based on their own view which creates a chilling environment against political parties, particularly small ones.
He says a constitutional referendum must enable open debate and informed consent.
He says the Fiji Labour Party is urging the Government to follow international standards, including the Venice Commission norms, particularly the latest 2022 guidelines, when shaping the referendum framework.
Dr Kumar says there are also concerns about how referendum questions would be framed and administered.
He says the process should involve independent expertise and broader consultation.
Dr Kumar further warned against the role of the state in influencing referendum outcomes, saying there must be clauses that restrict how the state conducts itself during the referendum process.
He says the way the state spends, propagates, or creates narratives to achieve outcomes it favours can be biased and detrimental to communities and future generations.
INSERT: Kumar on Bill 19th January
Dr Kumar says there must be more time and space for discussion and public engagement before any referendum is held.
He stresses that information must be disseminated at the community level because, ultimately, it is the people who matter.
The Fiji Labour Party has called for broader national discussion before the Referendum Bill is finalised.
Public consultations continue at the Parliament Complex today.
