Calls have been made for the consultation period on Fiji's proposed constitutional reforms to be extended by at least six months to a year to ensure meaningful participation from young people and communities facing barriers to access information.
Speaking during the consultation, Tamani Rarama of Nadi says the Constitution is the foundation of the country, and the consultation process must reflect true democracy through equal, active and meaningful participation.
He says young people have never had the opportunity to proactively participate in a national constitutional process of this nature until this year therefore, a minimum of six months is essential to allow meaningful public participation, particularly for communities facing systemic barriers to accessing information.
Rarama stresses that the process must reach youth, women, girls, gender-diverse people and persons with disabilities.
This includes those living in informal settlements, semi-urban and rural communities, and remote and maritime islands such as Yasawa, Kadavu, Gau, Rabi and Kioa.
He says the current one-month consultation period is insufficient to raise awareness and encourage young people to participate in such an important national process.
He also highlights that Fiji's geographical challenges, gaps in constitutional knowledge and financial barriers to organising community participation make it difficult for more young people and young leaders to be involved.
He suggests that any extension must be supported by a publicly communicated consultation plan.
Rarama says this should include nationwide community meetings, accessible information in relevant languages and disability-friendly formats, as well as opportunities for independent civic engagement.
Rarama also calls for full transparency on how public submissions will be assessed, analysed and incorporated into the next stages of constitutional reform.
He is urging national leaders and those involved in the process to listen to the concerns raised and ensure that the Constitution is shaped through participation across generations.
He adds that the Constitution must be shaped by the people and for the people.
Meanwhile, Nadi resident Narayan Reddy says the Constitution Review Commission should be given at least six months to a year to conduct comprehensive public consultations, including visits to informal settlements, rural areas and maritime communities.
He says constitutional reform cannot be rushed and must be developed through widespread public engagement to ensure every citizen understands the country's supreme law.
Reddy says Fiji's history has shown that constitutions imposed from the top down have failed to secure lasting stability.
He believes rushed or inadequate consultations could repeat past mistakes and undermine national unity.
He says the voices of the Fijian people must be respected throughout the review process.
Reddy also says the reference to Christianity in the state values should be replaced with the words "religion and family values", arguing that the existing reference conflicts with constitutional protections for freedom of religion.
He says although he is a Christian and attends the Methodist Church, he strongly believes that everyone should have equal rights and freedom of religion.
He also recommends that Fiji continue to be recognised as a secular state, maintaining the secular framework contained in the 2013 Constitution.
Vineel Nand says the Constitution must also strengthen protections for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
He recommended the CRC to mandatory include 5 percent of people living with disabilities to be employed by the private sector and the government sector as many people with disabilities struggle to secure employment.
Nand adds the Constitution must protect the people, preserve Fiji's national identity and ensure that no generation is forgotten.
He has also called for the iTaukei language to be made a compulsory subject in all schools, stating that if people of all races can be recognised as Fijians, they should also learn the iTaukei language.
