exact date
unknown, but probably end of September 2000
The
Commission shall review previous Constitutions of the Republic of Fiji and
examine Constitutions of other countries and after consulting widely throughout
Fiji, shall report and make recommendations on a new Constitutional arrangement
for Fiji.
The
report and recommendations of the Commission must pay particular attention to
the following matters, that is, the new arrangements-
 | must
recognise, protect and guarantee the rights, paramountcy of interests and the
concerns of the indigenous Fijian and Rotuman people as well as ensuring that
the rights of other communities and groups are fully respected; |
| guarantee
the protection and security for land rights and fishing rights and resources of
indigenous Fijians and Rotumans and also ensure that registered owners of native
lands and customary fishing rights have an equitable share of the income derived
from the exploitation of the resources beneath and above the surface of their
land, the seabed, rivers etc;
|
| must
recognise the role of the Bose Levu Vakaturaga in the national affairs of the
State;
|
| must
provide affirmative action provisions for the indigenous Fijian and Rotuman
people as a group in order to bring about some parity between indigenous Fijians
and Rotumans and non-Fijians particularly in the areas of commerce and business,
professional and technical education;
|
| must
include social justice provisions for all individual disadvantaged persons to
bring about greater equality of access and achievements in terms of –
|
·
education
and training;
·
land
and housing;
·
participation
in commerce at all levels;
·
participation
in all branches of service of the State; and
·
any
other grounds which the Commission may consider appropriate;
| in
recognising the plurality of Fiji's society. will work towards ensuring and
promoting multi-ethnic and multi-cultural harmony, unity and cooperation with a
view to achieving social and economic progress for all the different communities
living in Fiji;
|
| must
provide for the protection of fundamental
rights and freedoms of the individual
while also recognising group rights of the communities in Fiji, including their
political rights and cultural identity;
|
| must
promote good governance and provide a framework that promotes and enhances the
observance and maintenance of the rule of law including the independence of the
Judiciary and the vital institutions and organs of the State;
|
| must
provide the most appropriate and acceptable system of Government for Fiji
including the composition of and representational arrangements in Parliament as
well as the voting method to be adopted in respect of electing representatives
to Parliament, and
|
| must
take full cognizance of traditional and customary laws in Fiji, the principles
in the Compact of the 1997 Constitution and the relevant international laws and
conventions on human rights, political and economic rights including the rights
of indigenous peoples, women and minorities such as young persons and disabled
persons etc.
|
|
