Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed the need to reevaluate the 2013 Constitution. Speaking at the National Federation Party Annual Convention in Sigatoka, he criticized the Constitution for having regressive restrictions on human rights.
Rabuka acknowledged that as a coalition government, they could benefit from the existing clauses that grant them disproportionate power. However, he emphasized that such an approach would be unjust, unrealistic, and undemocratic.
He stated, “Truth and reconciliation as a nation are necessary for healing and release for Fiji by permanently ending the dark chapter of political upheavals and the culture of fear and mistrust that plagued our nation. For far too long we have internalized the hurt and trauma from all our political upheavals and failed to acknowledge the intergenerational burdens we have carried and could pass on.”
Supporting the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, NFP Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Biman Prasad highlighted the importance of having open discussions about the traumatic events faced by the nation in the past and learning from them to shape a better future.
Rabuka reiterated his commitment to the process of creating a just and fair constitution and the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.