Statement 16: SECOND STATEMENT ON THE EQUAL CITIZENRY DEBATE.(This follows a statement Issued earlier today.) The Bainimarama government has no right to lecture anyone on the merits of equal citizenry. Its 2013 Constitution contradicts the very essence of what this means. It claims equal citizenry as a founding value. But then goes on to provide absolute, unconditional and irrevocable immunity to the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, members of the Republic of the Fiji Military forces, Fiji Police, Fiji Correction Services, the Judiciary, the Public Service and any public office holder. They are immune from any criminal prosecution and from any civil or other liability in any proceedings as a result of any direct or indirect participation in the Government from the 5th Dec 2006 until the first sitting of the first parliament enacted after the start of the 2013 constitution. The same chapter bans law-abiding citizens from making any claims for losses or injuries caused by the actions of persons covered by this immunity. It is hypocritical that the institutions responsible for administering law and order should themselves be protected by this immunity while charging or passing judgment on citizens who have no such protection. What this means is that a group of people who committed crimes have been placed above and beyond the reach of the law. This is a perfect example of the constitution giving superior citizenry to some, while denying this to the vast majority. This supports the comments that Qarase was trying to make that there is no such thing as equal citizenry in the 2013 constitution. Authorized By: Mick Beddoes Statement 15: EQUAL CITIZENRY Former Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase says he was quoted out of context in media reports of comments he made about equal citizenry. I spoke with him last night and he assured me he will be issuing a clarification when he returns from campaigning in Namosi. The question of equal citizenry is important especially in view of some of the actions of the Bainimarama government and its stance against the Great Council of Chiefs. Authorized By: Mick Beddoes
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 03:56:28 +0000
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