Serua villagers want new Constitution, CRC hears

Some villagers in the district of Batiwai in Serua have called for the 2013 Constitution to be removed entirely and replaced with a new Constitution developed through broad public consultation.

During Constitution Review Commission (CRC) consultations in Dranikula Village yesterday, Ravisau Qarau said Fiji should seize the opportunity to create a Constitution that reflected the views of all Fijians.

Mr Qarau said a new Constitution should include stronger safeguards against future coups and ensure those responsible for overthrowing a duly elected government were held accountable.

He also called for the return of the constituency-based electoral system.

Mr Qarau said provinces such as Serua should have direct representation in Parliament.

"Serua needs a stronger voice in Parliament. Constituencies will allow communities to elect representatives who understand their issues," he said.

His submission also proposed that vacant parliamentary seats be filled through by-elections rather than automatically allocated to the next candidate on a party list.

Mr Qarau said indigenous landowners should be given stronger constitutional protection and greater control over natural resources found on their land.

Supporting the submission, Roko Tui Serua Jona Dalaga said many of the concerns raised reflected issues that had been discussed by people throughout the province for years.

Mr Dalaga said any constitutional review should genuinely listen to the voices of ordinary citizens, particularly those in rural and maritime communities.

"The Constitution is the supreme law of the country, so people must be given every opportunity to contribute to it," he said.

He said issues relating to land ownership, resource rights, traditional governance and parliamentary representation were important to indigenous communities and deserved careful consideration.

Mr Dalaga also supported stronger recognition of the Great Council of Chiefs, saying traditional institutions continued to play an important role in maintaining culture, identity and community leadership.

"We are sharing our views because we want future generations to benefit from a Constitution that reflects the aspirations of our people," he said.

The consultation was part of the CRC's nationwide effort to gather public views on Fiji's constitutional future.