Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka announced the need to reevaluate the 2013 Constitution during his address at the National Federation Party Annual Convention in Sigatoka.
Rabuka expressed concerns that the 2013 Constitution imposes regressive restrictions on human rights. He acknowledged that as a coalition government, they could benefit from the Constitution’s clauses that grant them significant power. However, he emphasized that such an approach would be unfair, 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 have plagued our nation. For far too long, we have internalized the hurt and trauma from all our political upheavals and failed to recognize the intergenerational burdens we have carried and could pass on.”
Prof. Biman Prasad, NFP Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, supported the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, advocating for open discussions about the nation’s traumatic past to facilitate understanding and pave the way for the future.
Rabuka reiterated his personal commitment to pursuing a just and fair constitution and to the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.