Remove immunity, George Speight tells Commission

2000 coup leader George Speight has called for the removal of constitutional immunity, telling the Constitutional Review Commission that no one should be above the law.

Presenting his submission to the Commission, Mr Speight said the constitutional review offered Fiji an opportunity to address long-standing issues, particularly the immunity provisions, which he believed had weakened public confidence in the justice system.

He also praised the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Ro Jone Kalouniwai for supporting an open review of Fiji's Constitution.

Mr Speight commended the Commander for encouraging an open and peaceful national discussion on constitutional reform, describing the process as an important step towards national healing and reconciliation.

Drawing on his own experience of serving 24 years in prison, Mr Speight said accountability should apply equally to everyone, regardless of their status or position.

He said confession and accepting responsibility were important steps towards redemption, quoting Proverbs 28:13 to support his argument that people who confessed their wrongdoing received mercy.

Mr Speight argued that the immunity provisions created unfairness by protecting some people from prosecution while others faced the full force of the law.

According to Mr Speight, lasting reconciliation could only be achieved when justice was applied equally to everyone.

He also said his submission was not driven by revenge or bitterness but by a desire to see a fairer Fiji where justice, accountability and mercy worked together to restore trust between the Government and its people.