Adi Sivia Qoro, a consultant and the president of Unity Fiji, has emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive and sincere review of the 2013 Constitution. She expressed concerns about the origins of the Constitution, highlighting that the original draft crafted by Yash Ghai’s Constitution Commission was ignored by the prior government, which instead enacted its own version in September 2013.
Adi Sivia contends that the process was flawed from the outset, lacking genuine input from the Fijian populace. She noted that the limited consultation period failed to effectively capture public sentiment, raising doubts about whose interests the Constitution truly represents.
Additionally, she addressed the detrimental consequences of Fiji’s historical coups, asserting that they have undermined the nation’s democracy, social fabric, and economic stability. She cautioned that these events have regressed the country, and a flawed constitution cannot remedy the repercussions.
“It brings into question the credibility of the nation’s democracy, the negative social implications we are observing, and the economic well-being of our people,” she stated. “Above all, it sets back the country’s development by many years.”
Discussing constitutional amendments, she pointed out that the amendment provisions within the Constitution render it one of the most challenging constitutions globally to amend. “This has significant implications on the democratic rights of the people and their engagement in forming their own Constitution. This should be the focus for citizens now, to be openly addressed and to seek a path forward,” Adi Sivia added.