Adi Sivia Qoro, the president of Unity Fiji, has emphasized the necessity for an in-depth and sincere review of the 2013 Constitution. Her primary concern revolves around the circumstances of the Constitution’s creation, which saw the original draft from Yash Ghai’s Constitution Commission dismissed by the former government, which opted to implement its own version, becoming law in September 2013.
Adi Sivia argues that the process was fundamentally flawed, as it did not genuinely incorporate the contributions of the Fijian people. She points out that the limited consultation period hindered real public engagement, leading to uncertainty about the interests the constitution represents.
She also highlighted the detrimental effects of Fiji’s history of coups, which have adversely impacted the nation’s democracy, social fabric, and economy. Adi Sivia cautioned that these historical events have set back the country significantly, stating that a faulty constitution cannot repair the harm done.
“It brings into question the credibility of the nation’s democracy, the negative social implications which we are now witnessing and on the economic welfare of our people,” she remarked. “More than anything, it sets the country back by many years in terms of its development.”
Regarding constitutional amendments, she underscored that the provisions make Fiji’s Constitution one of the most challenging in the world to modify. “This has significant implications for the democratic rights of the people and their involvement in the creation of their own Constitution. Citizens should focus on this matter, engaging in open discussions to determine a path forward,” Adi Sivia concluded.