Dialogue Fiji urges open review, stronger democratic safeguards

The Constitution Review Commission should preserve the democratic foundations of the 2013 Constitution while strengthening institutions that protect accountability, human rights and equal citizenship, Dialogue Fiji executive director Nilesh Lal said.

Speaking during the organisation's submission to the Fiji Constitution Review Commission at Suvavou House in Suva on Thursday, Mr Lal said Fiji should build on the Constitution's existing strengths instead of replacing them.

"We need a Constitution that limits power, not one that merely transfers power from one political group to another," Mr Lal said.

He said provisions recognising one person, one vote, equal citizenry, a secular State and a single elected Parliament should remain unchanged.

Mr Lal also called for a more open and transparent constitutional review process, saying greater public participation was essential if the exercise was to earn public confidence and deliver meaningful reform.

"Public consultation requires notification, two-way exchange and meaningful participation, not merely the formal receipt of views behind closed doors," Mr Lal said.

He said every public submission should be published unless confidentiality had been requested, while hearings should be livestreamed and transcripts made available through a central online platform.

Mr Lal said making submissions and proceedings publicly accessible would strengthen transparency, improve accountability and help build trust in the Commission's final recommendations.

He also called for stronger judicial independence, constitutional protection for access to information, improved parliamentary oversight and stricter safeguards against the rushed passage of legislation.

Mr Lal said Fiji's constitutional future should be based on democratic principles that promote inclusion, protect rights and ensure government institutions remained accountable to the people rather than concentrating power in the hands of the executive.