The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) has questioned the cultural legitimacy of Fiji’s 2013 Constitution, arguing it was not born from the customary dialogue and community endorsement that traditionally underpin Fijian constitutional development. While affirming the Supreme Court’s ruling, GCC chairman Ratu Viliame Seruvakula also echoed Chief Justice Salesi Temo’s observation that the Constitution was imposed on the people rather than chosen by them.
Responding to the court’s decision, the GCC said it respects the rule of law but remains the voice of the iTaukei vanua and the broader Fijian sense of identity. A constitution that endures, the GCC argued, must grow from lived values and communal consensus, not solely from legal machinery. The council urged national leaders to chart pathways for an inclusive and participatory constitutional review that involves chiefs, grassroots communities, civil society, the business sector, women, the elderly, youth, people living with disabilities, and others. Such a process, the GCC said, would ensure future reforms are legally sound and culturally anchored while prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable in society.
The GCC noted that certain provisions are effectively unamendable, hampering Fiji’s ability to adapt its constitutional framework to evolving social realities. “Sustained resilience requires not rigidity but a structure that balances protection with the wisdom to reform,” Seruvakula said. The ruling, while reaffirming the 2013 Constitution as Fiji’s supreme law under common law, also underscores a democratic fissure that calls for a more inclusive, enduring, and culturally resonant constitutional future. The GCC reaffirmed its commitment to helping Fijians honor their shared heritage while advancing democratic values rooted in customary authority and collective will.
Context from the GCC’s broader narrative has repeatedly highlighted calls to rethink core elements of the 2013 Charter, including restoring the traditional authority to appoint Fiji’s President and re-examining the so-called “common identity” clause that labels all citizens as “Fijians.” Observers note a parallel emphasis on improving village governance, addressing poverty—reported in the vicinity of 75% among iTaukei people—and tackling social challenges such as domestic violence. The GCC has also underscored the importance of reflecting iTaukei rights and interests within any reform, ensuring that changes do not undermine cultural integrity or local governance.
What this means for Fiji
– The GCC’s stance paves the way for a broad, multi-stakeholder dialogue on constitutional reform, potentially guiding targeted amendments or a comprehensive rethink of national governance and identity.
– Reform proposals are expected to aim for a balance between legal robustness and cultural relevance, with a focus on addressing poverty, resource rights, and protections for vulnerable groups.
– The conversation is likely to re-engage debates over the President’s appointment process and the treatment of ethnic identity within the national framework, alongside practical concerns about village governance and social welfare.
Editorial notes to enrich the story
– Include perspectives from legal scholars, political analysts, civil society representatives, and rural community leaders to broaden the viewpoint on feasibility, timelines, and potential trade-offs.
– If available, provide a clear roadmap or timeline for upcoming consultations, parliamentary steps, or Supreme Court milestones to help readers follow progress.
– Consider adding regional or international context on indigenous rights and constitutional reform to help readers assess broader significance and potential models from other nations.
Summary
The GCC is pressuring Fiji toward an inclusive, culturally anchored constitutional review of the 2013 Charter, even as it respects the Supreme Court’s ruling that upholds the document. The move signals a renewed push to align Fiji’s constitutional framework with iTaukei heritage and socio-economic needs, through broad-based participation and careful balancing of protection and reform. The path forward envisions stronger community governance, improved resource opportunities, and more equitable representation for all Fiji’s diverse communities.
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