Villagers reject 2013 Constitution

Villagers attending a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) consultation have called for the complete removal of the 2013 Constitution.

They argued that the Constitution was introduced without proper public consultation and failed to reflect the views of ordinary Fijians.

Villagers of Waiqori in Oneata, Lau raised concerns during consultations in their village this week, questioning the legitimacy and transparency of the country’s supreme law.

Among those who spoke was Sekope Sokoiwasa, who told commissioners that many ordinary citizens were excluded from the drafting process before the Constitution was introduced in 2013.

Mr Sokoiwasa said people in rural and maritime communities were not adequately consulted and claimed many Fijians still did not know who was involved in drafting the document.

“If this is the supreme law of the country, then the people should have been part of creating it from the beginning,” he said.

“What we want now is a constitution that truly reflects the wishes and voices of the people.”

Sekope Sokoiwasa.

Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau

Mr Sokoiwasa said the Constitution should not simply be amended, but replaced through what he described as a transparent and democratic nationwide consultation process.

He said villages such as Oneata were left out of important national discussions during the drafting stage.

“Important decisions were made for the whole country, but many ordinary citizens were left out of those discussions,” he said.

Other participants also raised concerns about the level of public participation during the development of the 2013 Constitution, with some questioning whether the document reflected the interests of all communities across Fiji.

The consultation was led by CRC chairperson Sevuloni Valenitabua as the commission continues nationwide consultations on possible constitutional reforms.

The commission is gathering submissions from communities around the country as part of an ongoing review into whether changes to the Constitution are needed.