Fiji: Petition rejects 2013 Government Constitution Draft

Fiji Youth for Democracy hands over Petition, rejecting 2013 Government Constitution Draft

The Fiji Youth for Democracy collected a total of 165 signatures from a diverse group of young people in Fiji and presented it to the Prime Minister’s office at 1pm today, Tuesday 30th April.

The petition rejects the 2013 Government Draft Constitution and calls for the reinstatement of the Ghai Commission’s 2012 People’s Draft Constitution for public deliberation. This petition will continue to collect signatures up to and until the final constitutional document is adopted.

A majority of Youths in Fiji have already expended their time and resources in participating in the constitutional process and made contributions that were majorly reflected in the Ghai Commission’s 2012 People’s Draft Constitution.

“We’re a group of young individuals from different backgrounds and fields but like-minded in the view that the Government deviated from their own process, which was more inclusive of diverse interests,” said Mereoni Chung, a member of the collective.

The Fiji Youth for Democracy petition is an indication that a growing number of young people in Fiji are constitutionally informed and do not accept the proposed 2013 Government Draft. The young people of Fiji vehemently feel that the 2013 Government draft does not provide adequate constitutional provisions for a sustainable democratic future for all people, especially the young people of Fiji.

“Our major concern with the process and the 2013 Government Draft is that it lacks genuine transparency and inclusivity,” said Romitesh Kant, another member of the collective.

Youths in Fiji have limited access to balanced information on Fiji’s current political developments and do not have a safe space to voice their concerns and opinions. It is the aim of the Fiji Youth for Democracy to generate interest and debate, and more importantly share critical information on the process and the draft constitutions to allow for a more informed, participatory and active youth citizenry.

Fiji Youth for Democracy maintains that for a genuine democratic change to take place for a secure future, the 2012 People’s draft must be reinstated for public debate and deliberations.

ENDS

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