2013 Constitution of Fiji

Fiji's fourth constitution was signed into law by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on September 6, 2013, coming into effect immediately.^[1][2] It is the first to eliminate race-based electoral rolls, race-based seat quotas, district-based representation, the unelected upper chamber, and the role of the hereditary Council of Chiefs. It vests sole legislative authority in a single-chamber, 50-seat, at-large Parliament, to be first convened following general elections in 2014.^[3] It is also the first ever to grant the right to multiple citizenship (in effect since 2009 by decree,^[4][5] on abrogation of the 1997 constitution), and lowers the voting age to 18.

Politics of Fiji
show Constitution History
show Executive President Jioji Konrote Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama Cabinet Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum Leader of the Opposition Naiqama Lalabalavu
show Legislative Parliament Speaker: Epeli Nailatikau
show Judiciary Supreme Court Chief Justice: Kamal Kumar Court of Appeal High Court
show Local government Recent municipal elections 2002 2005
show Former and informal Monarchy Governor Governor-General Chief Minister Executive Council Legislative Council Great Council of Chiefs Vice-President
show Elections Electoral system Voting Constituencies Open Communal National Political parties Post-independence elections 1972 Mar 1977 Sep 1977 1982 1987 1992 1994 1999 2001 2006 2014 2018
show Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister: Frank Bainimarama Diplomatic missions of / in Fiji Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Other countries
v t

Background[]

Fiji's , implemented in 1970 at the time of independence from the UK, contained negotiated provisions to enshrine the political supremacy of the minority indigenous population.^[6] When an Indo-Fijian dominated government was elected despite these safeguards, the 1987 Fijian coups d'état took place, resulting in even tighter measures in the .

Widespread Indo-Fijian dissent, coupled with a population shift back to an indigenous majority, prompted a more inclusive approach in the 1997 constitution. This was followed by the election of the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister, and the violent, failed civilian coup of 2000. The 2013 constitution gave Indo-Fijians equal status in the country.^[7]

Rationale[]

The 2000 coup was ended by military intervention. Fifteen people died.^[8] Power was handed over to a civilian administration, which subsequently won the 2001 elections — depending for its majority on elements that had been supportive of the coup — and granted early release to several conspirators who had been imprisoned.^[9] It also proposed legislation that would have extended amnesty to those involved (the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill).

This angered the head of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Frank Bainimarama, who spoke out against the government, formally demanded a reversal, withstood an attempt to replace him, and eventually launched his own bloodless coup in December 2006.

As Prime Minister, Bainimarama declared that the race-based electoral system — which he characterized as insulating the well-connected not only from political consequences but from justice and the law — had to be reformed before new elections were held. After months of international pressure, he announced elections for 2009, but then reversed himself,^[10] saying that a whole new system (a new census, a new voter's list, and a new constitution) would need to be established to prevent a return to the "coup culture."

In 2008, the government-appointed National Council for Building a Better Fiji released the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, which established guidelines for drafting a new constitution, and in 2012 public hearings began across the country to solicit input from the community.^[11]

Criticism[]

Original draft author Yash Ghai has publicly disagreed with changes in the final document, including the removal of regional representation, maintaining that it favors larger political parties.^[12]

According to an article published in The Economist by an uncredited writer in Wellington, New Zealand, despite its electoral success, the FijiFirst government is also "despised" by "many" native Fijians for implementing the 2013 Constitution of Fiji which describes all of Fiji's citizens as "Fijians", regardless of their ethnicity, causing "some" indigenes to have fears of "cultural annihilation" and an "Islamic conspiracy to control the country", due to the Attorney General of Fiji being of Muslim background."^[13]

See also[]

• People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress
• 1997 Constitution of Fiji

References[]

External links[]

• Constitution of the Republic of Fiji (2013) : Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute