Vitogo women want constitutional immunity removed

The removal of Fiji’s controversial Immunity Clause was among the key submissions made to the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) in Lautoka yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of women from Vitogo, Litiana Sovasova called for the complete removal of the clause from the 2013 Constitution.

Ms Sovasova said Fiji had already gone through a process of reconciliation and forgiveness and should now move forward.

"We want the Immunity Clause to be removed completely from the Constitution," she told the CRC.

The Immunity Clause, contained in Chapter 10 of the 2013 Constitution, protects certain individuals and institutions from legal action over their involvement in political events linked to the 2006 coup and the Government that followed.

The provision remains one of the most debated parts of the Constitution.

Critics argue it shields individuals from accountability, while supporters say it helps maintain political stability.

Ms Sovasova said the Constitution should reflect the progress Fiji has made towards unity and reconciliation.

She also called for customary law and village by-laws to be formally recognised in the Constitution, saying traditional authority and values had weakened over time.

"We have seen our children disregarding customary laws and village by-laws," she said.

Ms Sovasova told the CRC that constitutional recognition of customary laws would help strengthen respect for traditional governance and cultural values within communities.

The CRC continues its final day of consultations in Lautoka today at 75 Drasa Avenue before moving to Rakiraki tomorrow.

The commission is gathering public submissions on possible changes to the 2013 Constitution.