Fijileaks
  • Home
  • Archive Home
  • In-depth Analysis
    • BOI Report into George Speight and others beatings
  • Documents
  • Opinion
  • CRC Submissions
  • Features
  • Archive

DAY OF REJOICE AND RAGE: President signs new 2013 Constitution  into law as police arrest protestors-women's rights and youth leaders 

6/9/2013

20 Comments

 
PictureAssent granted!
ADDRESS ON THE ASSENT TO CONSTITUTION
Government House
Friday, 6th September, 2013, SUVA 3.30pm


Salutations and greetings

"I have today given my assent to the 2013 Constitution through the powers vested in me as your Head of State. That Constitution comes into effect tomorrow and will be the supreme law of Fiji. It is also a blueprint for the future direction of our country. It establishes the principle that every Fijian is equal whoever they are, wherever they come from or whatever their religious or political beliefs.

It provides for an independent judiciary, equal access to the law, freedom of speech and expression and a range of unprecedented rights for every Fijian.These include the right to education, health, adequate food and water plus specific recognition of the rights of the iTaukei people for the ownership and protection of their land and recognition of their culture, tradition, customs and language. Similar protections and rights apply to our Rotuman and Banaban citizens.

For the first time, the Constitution has also been published in the two main vernacular languages and has been widely distributed and read.The community has been given the opportunity to check those translations.I commend our new Constitution to you and ask every citizen to give it your support. On any fair reading, it safeguards the rights of every Fijian and finally lays the basis for the development of a modern, progressive and enlightened state.

It no longer entrenches privilege or the rights of some citizens over others. It is the Constitution we had to have for us to join the ranks of the world’s great democracies.Unlike previous Constitutions, it does not define and divide us by ethnicity. It bestows the title of Fijian on every citizen, while celebrating and recognising our cultures.This is a magnificent achievement based on the most fundamental of democratic principles– that all men and women are created equal.

My fellow Fijians,

We now proceed – on the basis of this document – to yet another milestone – the first genuinely democratic election in our history within a little over twelve month’s time. Already, we have four political parties registered for that election and around 540,000 Fijians registered to vote. So to cast this as a hollow gesture - of the will of the Fijian people being disregarded - is demonstrably without foundation.

For the first time, under the terms of this Constitution, every Fijian has a voice and I am assured that voice will be heard next year without hindrance.To be credible, the 2014 election must be free and fair - a contest of policies and ideas between the parties and candidates in which every Fijian voter is the final arbiter. I am confident that this will be the case and urge everyone planning to stand for that election to uphold the highest standards of proper conduct, accountability, honesty, transparency and decency.

My fellow Fijians,

I also want you to envisage the kind of country we can become if some of the provisions of this constitution are embraced by everyone.I am particularly encouraged – excited even - by the way in which it empowers young people.
For the first time, any child born in Fiji gets a much better chance of gaining knowledge and skills, with specific undertakings about access to primary, secondary and tertiary education.

So we will be a smarter nation with more people capable of getting satisfying and sustainable jobs. For the first time, the two principal vernaculars – I’Taukei and Fiji Hindi – are to be taught in our primary schools as compulsory subjects.So we will be a nation better able to communicate with each other and share our stories.For the first time, anyone over the age of 18 obtains the right to vote.

So we will be a nation in which young people are able to participate in the democratic process and provide us all with their energy, idealism and fresh ideas.We all know that Fiji’s future depends on our young people. And more than anything else, this Constitution is for them.


And for their children and the generations to come. All the old attitudes that have held us back, all the old prejudices, cannot survive that generational change if we all resolve to think differently. With these reforms, we are bound to be more united, more cohesive, more conscious that we are one people, one nation with a wonderful future ahead of us.

Ladies and Gentleman,

We are writing a new chapter in our country’s history.We all have our place in that narrative. So I appeal to every Fijian – whatever their political affiliation - to unite behind it. With this document, we lay to rest the institutionalised divisions and inefficiencies' that have plagued us and embrace a common future in which we all have an equal stake.


And we lay the foundations of a new Fiji – taking our place among the great democracies and fulfilling the dream we all share of better days to come.

My God Bless us all in our noble quest to become a fairer and more prosperous nation. May God Bless our beloved Fiji."


Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
UPBEAT AND DEFIANT: Party leaders show solidarity with arrested protestors
Picture

Frank Bainimarama to Fiji: "As a nation, we had lost our way. And I remain convinced that only the most radical intervention was capable of ever turning us around. With the revolution and the new Fijian constitution, our national compass has been reset...As I’ve already pledged, I will subject myself to the will of the Fijian people at the polls before the end of September 2014. It is they who will pass judgment on me and my political party, under this new constitution...God Bless Fiji"

Picture

Your Excellency, the President, The Honourable Chief Justice and members of the judiciary, Cabinet Ministers, Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bula vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.

The term historic is sometimes used a little too freely but not today.

Because this is truly a historic occasion in the life of our nation and will be regarded as such, long after we have all passed into history ourselves.

His Excellency, our President has spoken eloquently about why today is so important.

For the first time, Fiji meets the standards of the world’s great democracies and will join their ranks.

We now have a Constitution that meets the test of a genuine democracy, that upholds the legal and moral basis of a common and equal citizenry without losing individuality or culture.

It’s taken us 43 years and three Constitutions to get here.

But now, finally, it’s happened. And it’s cause for immense celebrations.

This afternoon, I seek your indulgence to reflect on the true meaning of this occasion.

Today marks the completion of the revolution the RFMF and I embarked on six and a half years ago.

That revolution was to put our nation back on track after years of turmoil. To fulfill our vision, at Independence, of a just, vibrant, and multicultural economic powerhouse in the Pacific.

I was a youth of sixteen on that brilliant sunny day - October the 10th 1970 - and clearly recall the surge of pride and optimism that went through everyone when our flag was raised after 96 years of British rule.

We were Fiji, the Way the World should be. For the first few years, the future looked bright as we led the way to independence for a string of other countries in our region, who looked to us as a beacon - a source of inspiration and a role model.

But unfortunately, there were unscrupulous elements at work.

Elites used their positions - whether in political parties, religious organisations, trade unions, traditional society or business - to advance their personal interests and entrench their privileges.

So much so that the notion of a just society, of an accountable government, of one nation, was being eroded from within.

Similarly, the justification for the removal of governments in 1987 and 2000 was wrong. It was a concoction by a selfish few, resisting change, who preyed on the misguided and the ignorant. It was the biggest of lies.

Tens of thousands of Fijians suffered and many simply gave up on the country and left. It remains the most shameful episode in our nation’s history and must never be repeated.

The real shame was not just in the countless personal stories of dislocation, discrimination and increased poverty, but the wasted years of development for all Fijians.

It also created a culture of every person for themselves, of loyalty to self rather than the nation-state of Fiji.

History records that I played a significant role in 2000 as commander of the RFMF, bringing the siege of the Parliament to an end, and charging an interim government with the task of rebuilding the nation.

But it too was captive to the same forces of division. And by December 2006, events were spiraling out of control: the integrity of our institutions was at risk, corruption had become endemic, and we were in danger of becoming a failed state.

We had to reset the clock, create “Year Zero.” With men and women of goodwill, we had to rebuild Fiji and put it on a different path, a path of equality and inclusiveness.

We had to end the culture of self-entitlement, corruption and hypocrisy that had taken root to the detriment of ordinary people.

Your Excellency, my fellow Fijians,

Many modern, stable democracies have gone through their own turbulent periods. Some have gone through decades of instability and bloodshed, while others have had a single defining moment. These events changed the course of history. They turned their countries from bastions of elitism and oppression into nations of freedom, equality and true democracy.

The United States has its Bunker Hill and Civil War; France has the storming of the Bastille and the French revolution; Australia, the Eureka Stockade; Britain a bloody history to establish constitutional monarchy.

We Fijians too have had our period of turbulence - our catharsis. Today, however, marks our new beginning. Today, we launch the blueprint for our genuine democracy.

The 2013 Fijian Constitution enshrines principles that are at the heart of all the great liberal democracies - an independent judiciary, a secular state and a wide range of civil, political and socio-economic rights.

Our three previous Constitutions - in 1970, 1990 and 1997 - failed the basic test of genuine democracy. They enshrined the notion that the votes of some people in Fiji were worth more than others, that some people deserved more rights than others. That in order to possess a right, you had to take it away from others.

These constitutions highlighted differences rather than commonalities. Every time we went to vote, we had to stand in separate lines. How could we expect our nation to be united? How could we expect political parties to appeal to all Fijians when the very structures of these constitutions, the very structures of governance, differentiated us?

As a nation, we had lost our way. And I remain convinced that only the most radical intervention was capable of ever turning us around. With the revolution and the new Fijian constitution, our national compass has been reset.

As I said the other day, it has stretched some of our international relationships to the limit. Instead of being willing to listen and understand, some of our oldest friends turned their backs on us.

They sought to damage us with travel bans, erode our attempts to attract the best people to government jobs and boards, jeopardise our ability to borrow money for our development and even tried to torpedo our contributions to UN peacekeeping.

I have to say that this campaign to sabotage our national interests filled me at times with disappointment and dismay. Because these countries chose to support a form of democracy, governance and justice in Fiji that they would never have accepted themselves.

Had they helped us, rather than hindered us, this day might have come sooner. The election might have come sooner.

Surely they realise that this constitution is as democratic and inclusive, or even more so, than anything they have themselves.

To the few voices of skepticism and criticism, I say: read the constitution. You will find that it meets the standards of the most liberal of democracies and international norms and conventions.

Every month that passes we are building the foundations of our new parliamentary democracy. Close to 540,000 Fijians have registered to vote for the 2014 election and four political parties have registered thus far.

As I’ve already pledged, I will subject myself to the will of the Fijian people at the polls before the end of September 2014. It is they who will pass judgment on me and my political party, under this new constitution.

We are now a more just and a more caring nation. Our reforms have strengthened our independent institutions and created new ones to increase accountability and transparency, and to remove systemic corruption.

Our voice in the world has never been stronger. We serve the international community not only through our UN peacekeeping but with our volunteer retirees who are raising standards of education and health in our smaller neighbours.

Your Excellency, my fellow Fijians,

The same optimism that I felt as a 16 year old at Independence I feel again at almost 60. We have a blueprint for a new future, one in which every young person in Fiji today can also share. We need to tap their optimism and idealism to take our country forward. We need to provide a better future for their children and grandchildren.

On this wonderful day - a day to remember and celebrate - we Fijians can once again be truly proud of ourselves and our beloved country.

God bless Fiji.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.


Picture
LEGAL Sanction: Chief Justice Anthony Gates gives his own seal of approval to new Constitution - as police take into custody the following on the LIST
Picture
Party leaders protesting from outside as regime moves on with its own new Constitution
Picture
Picture
THE 2013 Constitution party-goers are all smiles
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
MAKING THEIR POINT: Protestors reject regime imposed Constitution
Picture
BRUTAL REALITY: Protestors driven to police station
Picture
STANDING UP for the protestors: Suva lawyer Richard Naidu on hand at the police station
Picture
CHIEFS and Church leaders missing from scene as brave women stand up for the "silent majority" against regime Constitution
Picture
HISTORY PROTESTORS: Fighting spirit on display as protestors released by regime policemen
Picture
Picture
Cartoon: Truth for Fiji website
Picture
20 Comments
anil
7/9/2013 07:53:41 am

while i admire the guts of the protesters, I must confess that the political leaders who were there have no guts. why did they shove the ladies in the bus. Why didnt they go in the bus themselves first.

Mick is a con artist who owes NBF money. He has not paid his workers their right wages and talks about good governance. Not just micky mouse but a hypocryte.

MPC is fighting to save himself. This man will be in Naboro hotel soon. Finally, the indian people will not be betrayed or used. Finally.

Baba....he has changed more parties than sulus he owns. Attar and Raman Pratap...what mandate they have. They lost the last 2 elections badly.

Reply
a
8/9/2013 11:48:25 pm

Anil, you will be cursing one year from now...lol

Reply
China Banker
7/9/2013 08:37:56 am

Anil
How are you in Yuen Long in Hong Kong! Presumably hiding Aiyaz Khaiyum's money on his behalf there in China bank - you know what - all the kickbacks

Reply
anil
8/9/2013 01:39:18 am

China banker...

I'm here hiding MPC's $3.8m as his case is later this month.

Reply
Mandated Politicians
8/9/2013 10:17:40 pm

Are those defiant leaders really defiant or were they the ones who DID NOT defy to participate in Draft Constitution Process.

They helped legalise a new constitution when 1997 constitution remains a living document.

These leaders don't have any mandate as demonstrated by their total number of supporters in the protest.

We should have at least seen all branch officials of these political parties which could have at least added another 200 people in the protest.

Then they all managed to get between 5000 and 10000 registered party members. So if at least 5% of their party members only showed up, the numbers at the protest would have been at least 1000.

Where then is the so called solidarity even with the major coalition trio and Micky Mouse!

Reply
a
8/9/2013 11:52:38 pm

This is the new Fiji. All supporting illegalities except for a few who represent the silent majority because of fear of being brutalised...

Reply
were the registered voters brutalised to register ?
10/9/2013 03:04:15 pm

Speaking of the "silent majority", how many of the majority do we now have registered to vote ? Wasn't that a voluntary process ?

The silent majority of 500,000 plus (and growing) have all voluntarily endorsed the process via their free will registration to vote. That is more than 65% (and growing) of the Fiji population above voting age, all voluntarily endorsing their freely given assent with fear of being brutalised.

There was no brutality inflicted on the silent majority to register for the vote was there ?

bk
10/9/2013 04:53:41 pm

maybe the silent majority want to vote these thugs out dumbo

Reply
conversely...
10/9/2013 06:41:21 pm

Conversely the silent majority may simply want to vote them in !

Ever considered that bk ?

Reply
bk
10/9/2013 07:52:13 pm

yes I know the truth when it comes out of the mouth of a law abiding god fearing person not the crap that comes out of treasonous gun toting thugs and half cooked lawyers and corrupt parasites that will soon be fully cooked in a pot of curry.

selective memories
10/9/2013 05:01:50 pm

did not mr gates say once that no man can tear up the nation's constitution after the speight coup?
did not madam shameem say once that no decree can override an act of parliament after the speight coup?
it seems that depending who did the coup and what its for determines which side of the fence these so called judges will run to.
and to see these judges including Salesi Temo sitting in complicity with this illegality what does this tell us?
we have no hope of an independent judiciary in Fiji.

Reply
oh ho !...bk
10/9/2013 11:26:16 pm

Can't help but get personal when the logic doesn't add up can we ?

Australia endorses Constitution, New Zealand endorses Constitution, UK endorses Constitution, USA endorses Constitution, Chine endorses Constitution, Phillipines endorses Constitution, the UN representing all its member states endorses the Constitution.

The people of Fiji endorse the process and register freely to vote.

And there you are talking about cannibalism and cooking people in a pot of curry.

Reply
pk
12/9/2013 02:59:56 pm

the most important ones that did not endorse this decree called constitution are the people of Fiji...the majority so anil dickhead go back to school curry muncher

Reply
voluntary registered happy voter
12/9/2013 03:13:22 pm

I am a happily registered voter. Like the other 600,000 plus of my fellow Fijians who have happily registered to vote under this new Constitution because we like it and endorse it.

If I didn't like it I wouldn't have registered to vote under it !

And we represent 75% of the Fijian voting population !

Nailatikau The Man
11/9/2013 10:12:00 pm

This self serving President allowerd all racists comments in the parliament go without anyone getting disciplined, then it means he as speaker acted outside the constitution allowing such comments and now pretending to show his illegal constitution caters for non racial Fiji.

Indians are doomed...

Reply
anitwit
12/9/2013 03:03:24 pm

you right there bro...suckers like anil will one day learn that Fijians believe that Fiji is for Fijians only...that's the real true Fijian, not the anil come lately Fijian. lol...one years time and you will learn another hard lesson...don't poke the sleeping native sonny boy.

Reply
All lies
12/9/2013 08:49:45 pm

VHRV, you registered before the 2013 BK Constipation was released not after so stop the lying. Regime stoolie.

Reply
lol
13/9/2013 06:19:05 pm

good one all lies...LOL...typical regime supporter...make it up as you go.

Reply
i saw the Ghai Constitution Commission sacked but i still registered
14/9/2013 04:26:17 pm

I am a happy voter who registered to vote after the Ghai Constitution Commission was sacked.

Black September Friday
13/9/2013 06:23:41 pm

el president forgot about this....a very black Friday for the natives, betrayed by two natives...

Today marks six years since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

In a historic vote on September 13, 2007, 144 countries voted for the Declaration. It is the outcome of 25 years of hard negotiations. The rights spelled out in the document "constitute the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples of the world." The Declaration protects collective rights and individual rights of Indigenous Peoples in relation to self-government, land, education, employment, health and other areas.

Several countries have made steps towards aligning their policies with the standards enshrined in the Declaration, however, an implementation gap remains. There has been an increased international focus on Indigenous Peoples' right to participate in decision-making processes, especially on the states' duty to consult Indigenous Peoples to seek their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in regards to issues that will affect their lands, lives, and livelihoods.



As one UN Permanent Forum delegate stated, "The most important element of Indigenous Peoples' ability to claim the right of Free, Prior and Informed Consent is to have informed and organized communities." Access to information about the Declaration and FPIC is crucial.




Cultural Survival's FPIC Initiative is strengthening Indigenous Peoples' capacity to implement FPIC by increasing awareness and understanding of this right through community media and community exchanges.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    editor@fijileaks.com

    ARCHIVES

    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    Picture
    Picture