A University of the South Pacific (USP) academic has emphasized that amnesty should not be granted to individuals involved in political activities that could lead to instability in Fiji. Rajendra Prasad expressed his views during a public lecture at USP, highlighting that amnesty had previously been extended to those responsible for political unrest from 1987 until the establishment of the 2013 Constitution.
“I want to maintain a sense of optimism regarding this reconciliation process,” Mr. Prasad stated. He pointed out that concepts of amnesty have been incorporated into past and the current constitutions. “I don’t believe any appointed truth commission or any entity can exceed the authority of the Constitution,” he added.
Prasad expressed a desire for the nation to focus on the motto “never again,” showing interest in ensuring that Fiji does not repeat its past mistakes. He remarked on the difficult experiences faced by Fijians throughout history, noting that previous attempts at reconciliation were not as effective.
“The past Constitutional Commission did not foster true reconciliation; the 1990 Constitution was imposed by a military regime and is often seen as one of the most racially divisive documents globally. The subsequent 1997 Constitution, while an improvement, was still not ideal,” he stated.
According to Mr. Prasad, the optimism surrounding the 1997 Constitution was driven by the hope that the events of 1987 would not recur. He believes that the current commission should ensure that such activities do not happen again.
He noted that while amnesty had been granted up to the 2013 Constitution, a crucial outcome of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions should be a prohibition on future amnesty for political activities that threaten the nation’s stability. “We cannot continue to reopen old wounds and expect to heal,” he stressed.
Mr. Prasad acknowledged Fiji’s small size and the necessity of moving forward. He urged for clear communication regarding the commission’s framework, including its language, authority, and future direction to the public.