The Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) made submissions on the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill at Parliament Bill No. 28 on Thursday.

It was before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at Parliament on Thursday.

CCF called for the removal of Section 24 of the Bill.

It said it breached core international conventions on ICCPR, ICESCR and was inconsistent with other provisions of the 2013 Constitution including Sections 18, 72, 73 and infringed on peoples’ right to freedom of speech, expression, or publication and freedom of assembly as guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

“Section 24 will further dissuade people from exercising their rights to critique Parliamentarians’ role and their performances for fear of being sued for defamation by Parliament,” said Bulutani Mataitawakilai.

Mr Mataitawakilai is the Chief Executive Officer for CCF.

The CCF also called for the review of Section 23 so that it did not infringe on the people’s right to assembly under Section 18 and to be consistent with Section 72 of the Constitution.

Mr Mataitawakilai said that some sections of the Bill did not promote the trust as aspired towards because in order to nurture trust; engagement with the citizenry, inclusiveness, sound and robust discussions and genuine political will were all essential ingredients in the functioning of a parliamentary democracy.

“If the Bill No. 28 is passed as an Act, it could be used as a potential weapon by a future government to hound the opposition,” said the CEO.

He was accompanied by legal officer Meline Buadromo during the submissions.

Source: Citizens’ Constitutional Forum

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