‘Cycle of coups and asking for forgiveness’ must go

A constitutional review consultation in Saqani this week reignited debate over coup accountability and immunity laws after a villager called for tougher action against anyone attempting to overthrow a future government.

“Fiji cannot afford to repeat what we view as a cycle of crisis followed by forgiveness.”

That was the warning from villager Manueli Bukasasa during consultations at the Saqani Village Hall, where discussions turned to Fiji’s history of military intervention in politics and protections granted to coup perpetrators.

Mr Bukasasa claimed immunity clauses granted after past coups had weakened public confidence in Fiji’s justice system and encouraged impunity.

“Any individual who stages a coup in the future must be held at gunpoint because past coup makers were protected by immunity clauses,” he said, drawing visible reaction from participants.

He argued that leniency shown after previous coups had failed to stop political instability.

“That leniency has historically failed to prevent instability in Fiji.”

Mr Bukasasa questioned whether existing constitutional safeguards were strong enough to prevent future military or politically motivated interventions.

“Without tougher consequences, the same pattern will continue to repeat itself.”

He also referenced recent discussions surrounding immunity provisions in the 2013 Constitution.

Mr Bukasasa said although the Supreme Court had advised that immunity provisions could not be amended, the Great Council of Chiefs had proposed to the Constitution Review Commission that they be removed as part of constitutional reform.

“This is a significant development, and I believe it is the correct approach and the only way to help prevent future coups,” he said.

“I respect the Supreme Court’s advice that the immunity provisions cannot be amended; however, I consider that view fundamentally flawed for several reasons.”

The Constitutional Review Commission consultations are continuing around the country as submissions are gathered on governance, accountability and safeguards against future instability.