Fiji political reform process faces criticism

By agency reporter
15 Oct 2012

The independent group set up to review Fiji’s constitution needs to take urgent measures to ensure women and young people are able to fully participate in the process, Amnesty International says.

A women’s youth group, the Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni, was prevented from giving verbal evidence to the Constitutional Commission on Saturday 13 October 2012.

Kate Schuetze, Pacific Researcher at Amnesty International, said: “This strikes at the heart of the credibility of the Constitutional Commission. If people are denied the opportunity to fully participate in the process, then it undermines any future constitution. It is essential that women and young people are fully involved in establishing the new constitution so that it reflects their vision for the country as well as protects their rights.

"The Commission needs to urgently ensure all public consultations are inclusive, meaningful and transparent. It is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure there’s adequate time for this to happen.

"Widespread censorship remains in Fiji and Amnesty International urges the government to lift these restrictions on freedom of expression.”

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PM’s children make constitution submission

Publish date/time: 15/10/2012 [16:57]

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama’s daughters and son have called for the one man one vote system in the new constitution.

Siblings Ruby Ann Sorovaki, Litiana Loabuka, Frances Lutunatabua, Ateca Whippy, Bernadette Bainimarama and Ratu Meli Bainimarama made the submission as a family.

While making their submission to the Constitution Commission, they asked for an antidiscrimination act to be in place and the removal of the electoral system from the constitution to allow for changes from time to time according to the changing needs and the will of the people. 

The Bainimarama siblings also said there should be an end to the coup culture, behaviour and mentality. 

They also said that the perpetrators of the 2000 coup were also working under the guise of the vanua and misleading people that the land and freedom of the itaukei would be taken away. 

The siblings said the rebels in 2000 were wrong and the military spoke out and said that this was wrong.

They said there should be a clear separation between the state and religion. 

The Bainimarama siblings said Fiji should not be declared a Christian state.

The siblings also stressed that the Great Council of Chiefs should be abolished.      

They said all the citizens of Fiji should be called Fijians and there should be full recognition that the indigenous people are the itaukei.

The siblings said none of the institutions should be permitted to have names that denote racial affiliations and they also propose that racial categorization should be eliminated from all government records and registers.

They also propose a national minimum wage for all workers and programs to be implemented to empower people to do things themselves rather than the old culture of reliance and handouts.

They said the civil servants need to have continual performance reviews as they are there to serve the people of this country.

The Bainimarama siblings also suggested for the introduction of a new tax for health services where every worker gets a minimal amount deducted for health care. 

They said the threshold should be based on the earnings.

Story by: Vijay Narayan

Fijian PM’s family make submission to Constitution

Souce:Xinhua
Publish By Thomas Whittle Updated 15/10/2012 9:31 pm in World 

SUVA, Oct. 15 — The siblings of Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama have made their submission to the new Constitution as public consultations came to close on Monday.

The prime minister’s siblings RubyAnn Sorovaki, Litiana Loabuka, Frances Lutunatabua, Ateca Whippy, Bernadette Bainimarama and Ratu Meli Bainimarama made the submission as a family, calling for the one man one vote system in the new constitution, according to local website Fijivillage.

According to Fijivillage, while making their submission to the Constitution Commission, the family asked for an anti- discrimination act to be in place and the removal of the electoral system from the constitution to allow for changes from time to time in line with the changing needs and the will of the people.

The Bainimarama siblings also said there should be an end to the coup culture, behavior and mentality.

The Constitution Commission held their final round of hearings on Monday. Commission Chair Professor Yash Ghai admitted that they had been working quite hard to meet the deadline.

Earlier in August, Bainimarama lashed out at Ghai for secretly meeting with members of some anti-government parties and groups and former politicians in Fiji, while Ghai said certain laws should be reviewed if they were not conducive to a free environment where people could express their views openly, and any restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and media freedom should be removed from Fiji.

In respose to some Fijians, especially leaders of some opposition parties who continue to make submissions against the non-negotiable principles in the Constitution that the government has set up, Bainimarama reiterated that there were no restrictions on people making constitution submissions, but “some people are trying to take over the process.”

Reform inmates, PS tells officers

Timoci Vula
Monday, October 15, 2012

CORRECTION officers in all facilities around the country play a huge role in caring and reforming inmates under their custody.

And to do this, correction officers must be passionate about their jobs.

Permanent secretary for Works Commander Francis Kean also reminded the officers that Fiji's eyes was on all correction officers to ensure serving inmates come out of those facilities and were ready to contribute positively to the well-being of the country.

"You have a huge responsibility to look after those under your care and more importantly, ensure that when they come out, they are reformed and can become useful citizens of our country," Mr Kean said.

"It is important therefore that you are passionate about your job.

"Stop for a while, take a look at that mirror and ask yourself whether you have it in you," he told officers at the launch of the Yellow Ribbon program and the inaugural fun run at Korovou in Suva at the weekend.

"At all times, remember that offenders look up to you as role models so it is important that you set good examples."

Mr Kean, a former prison inmate himself, also shared with the inmates his experience while in prison and the challenged he face when he got out of jail.

"It is not the end of the world. Use that opportunity you have inside to come out a completely changed person," the former navy commander said.

"I know it's not easy being there. "I could not sleep, I worried about the future, about my family," Mr Kean told the inmates.

"Let me also tell you that the stigma of imprisonment is very real. People look at you for what you did, not for what you have become," he said.

"I lost many friends along the way including those whom I thought would stand by me. But I remained positive and I owe a lot to my family who stood by me in everything I've been through," he said.

Mr Kean challenged offenders to do the same.

The Yellow Ribbon program will also be launched in Sigatoka next Friday.