We've got a great deal of hurt in Fiji, and I'm responsible for a large part of it - Speight

George Speight, who was sentenced to death for his role in the May 2000 coup, has come out clearly that he is responsible for a large part of hurt that happened in the country.

Speight's death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.

While making his submission to the Constitution Review Commission today, Speight said the first step is to recognise that a wrong was committed, and that the immunity chapter in the 2013 Constitution confirms that those who drafted it knew they had committed a great wrong.

Speight has supported the submission by the RFMF Commander to remove the immunity provisions from the 2013 Constitution, saying it would be the starting point for change.

He says he is grateful to the RFMF Commander for making that submission and did not expect it to come from the military.

He further says the 2013 Constitution is unfair and unjust, and that the immunity provisions are a recipe for disaster.

Speight says the 2013 Constitution is a stumbling block.

He adds that while the document contains some good clauses, they are outweighed by the bad.

Speight says the Constitution must have the confidence of the majority of the people it governs.

He also highlighted that he has accepted responsibility for his actions and has paid for them through his imprisonment.

Speight says that if people want redemption or forgiveness, they will need to confess.

Speight also highlighted that he supports the work of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but believes the Commission does not have the powers to go as far as it should.

He says he chose not to appear before the Commission.

Speaking to fijivillage News after his submission, Speight says he stands ready to be part of the process of fixing the country's issues.

He says he is grateful for the opportunity to share his views on the 2013 Constitution and that he is also grateful that a door has opened for reconciliation to begin.