March 30, 2013

Reforms are here to stay: Bainimarama

March 23, 2013 11:31:21 AM

Immunity suggested under the new draft constitution has nothing to do with the military, says Fiji’s Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.

“The Immunity is done for various reasons, we do not want anyone to come and change the reforms that we have done and that is very important,” said Bainimarama.

“And that’s why the immunity was suggested in the first place, it’s nothing to do with the military; it’s to do with the reform that has taken place,” he said.

“We want those reforms to stay.”

Under the draft constitution, further immunity has been forever granted to the President; Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Corrections Service, Judiciary, public service; and any public office.

The draft states they will not face any criminal prosecution from any court if they are involved in government from 2006 until the first sitting of Parliament.

The draft proposes those involved will not have any criminal prosecution from any civil or any other liability in any court or tribunal, in any proceeding including any legal, military, disciplinary or professional proceedings and from any order or judgment of any court or tribunal.

The draft also proposes that immunity granted under the Limitation of Liability for Prescribed Political Events Decree 2010 continues which means that everyone that is involved with the government from 2006 will have immunity and will cannot be taken to task for their involvement.

The draft was released by Bainimarama on Thursday.

By Mereani Gonedua

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