KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
It is in this context, and in this spirit, that we make the
following recommendations, which are based on what was said to us by the focus
group participants and the interviewees. In drafting them, we have tried to be
as accurate as possible in interpreting what people said to us, and as true to
their intent and meaning as possible. The following list of recommendations is
neither exhaustive, nor should the order of it be seen as indicating any
particular priority; rather, it draws together and attempts to group the most
important and recurring recommendations from the preceding chapters.
1.
The
one-person-one-vote electoral system should be adopted as it is seen as the
most suitable electoral system for Fiji because it values citizens’ individual
votes equally.
2.
Financial and personnel
resources should be committed by the government to both new and ongoing
initiatives on inter-faith, inter-cultural and peace dialogues, which are
recognised as essential activities for the democratic reform process.
3.
Education programmes should be
strengthened, or developed and implemented in Fiji as soon as is realistically
feasible. Specific examples include:
a. Review
and strengthen or develop leadership training programmes for democracy for all
those assuming leadership positions in all sectors of society, as well as aspiring
leaders. This should include chiefs, civil service personnel, church and other
religious leaders, traditional leaders, and leaders of political parties. These
programmes should include training on leadership, management, good governance
etc. In addition, specific, targeted programmes should be conducted to
encourage and empower both current and aspiring female and youth leaders.
b. Review
and strengthen or develop programmes on civic education in schools and
communities, grounded in the cultural and religious context of the communities
and Fijian society at large. In particular, primary and secondary schools
should include an examinable course in civic education (including the rule of law,
human rights issues and the current laws applicable in Fiji, as well as the
institutions involved in implementing and enforcing these laws and how they
function).
c. Furthermore,
adult civic education programmes for communities all over Fiji should be organized
in close collaboration with government and civil society organisations. These
programmes should be funded by government, without challenging the independence
of these organisations. Adult civic education in communities should be
sensitive to local conditions and must be culturally appropriate (e.g.
including sections on ‘obligations of solidarity’ and habits of co-operation),
and should be conducted in the first language of community members (Fijian,
Hindi etc.).
d. In
this regard, effort and resources should be invested in strengthening or
developing and publicizing a common terminology in Fiji around democracy,
governance, citizenship, rule of law and human rights issues, which would
assist in the inclusion of all citizens in debating and discussing the issues
of the day.
4.
Establish citizens’ forums in
rural and urban areas to monitor the accountability of leaders, and to engage
citizens in dialogue on important political, social, economic, environmental
and moral questions of the day. Citizens’ forums can be used for collecting and
discussing information on the performance, financial status, conduct and
regulations of state institutions, political parties and societal organisations
and their leaders.
5.
Strengthen and increase the
use of public forums in different centres of the country for discussing what is
good for Fiji. Use national events to generate discussion in these forums, such
as the national budget. Use public forums as a way to inform and educate communities
and people about critical issues, thereby enabling them to discuss decisions
which affect them in particular, such as environmental and economic decisions (e.g.
establishing industry in their areas).
6.
Conduct research into the
various systems of representation, including the instructive system. This
research should focus in particular on their benefits, and their implications
for building trust in the political system, increasing the accountability of
political leaders to their constituencies, building better race relations, and
enhancing the voice of the people in policy decisions.
7.
Develop codes of conduct and ethics
for all leadership sectors; in particular, these should cover the government,
parliamentarians, civil servants, church leaders, traditional leaders, and
politicians etc. Any code(s) of conduct
developed for politicians and parliamentarians should be legally enforceable.
8.
Consider re-constituting and
reforming the Great Council of Chiefs so that it becomes an advisory body to
the government, responsible solely for safe-guarding iTaukei language, customs and culture.
9.
Decision-making on economic policies
and economic development should serve the common good, be transparent and
contribute to social justice. Therefore the government of the day should ensure
public debate and discussions on important economic issues such as trade
agreements, the exploration of natural and mineral resources, taxation
policies, and the privatization of public services. Future policies and
legislation dealing with these issues should reflect that public debate; in
addition, existing policies and legislation should be examined, and where
inconsistent with this debate, should be re-considered and amended.
10. Conduct
research into the content of current customary rules applicable in Fiji, as
well as the role customary rules play in people’s lives. In addition, conduct
research into the current state of the relationship between these customary
rules and state law, identifying possible problems and conflicts between these
two systems. Decide what approach should be taken nationally to the customary
rules system; that is, whether customary rules should be integrated into state
law, or remain separate. If they are to remain separate, ensure that customary
rules and state law are complementary; this should also apply to any procedures
and institutions required in both systems in order to recognize and uphold
customary rules. This should be done in close collaboration with the iTaukei, academics, state institutions,
civil society organisations and traditional and religious authorities.
11. Ratify
three of the main international human rights conventions in particular: the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment. Incorporate them into domestic legislation, and bring all current
laws into line with these conventions. This should be done in such a way as to
tailor them to Fiji’s particular circumstances. Finally, establish and resource
effective enforcement mechanisms in order to promote and protect these rights.
12. Ensure
the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers in any future constitution;
guarantee this through enacting or amending any subordinate laws, regulations,
processes and institutions either supporting or regulating the judiciary, as
well as the executive and the administrative branches of government
13. Engage
in a national debate about the future role of the military in Fiji, in
particular its role in protecting Fiji and the constitution. In this process,
consider the following points made by participants and interviewees: (a) that
the military be made subservient to any government elected democratically under
a constitution approved by the majority of the Fijian people; (b) that the
military continue its role in peace-keeping overseas;
(c) that the military play a key role in Fiji’s development (e.g. through
building infrastructure, disaster response and rehabilitation, and assisting
with teaching young men and women a trade); and (d) that the size of the
military be progressively reduced so that it is commensurate with the size of
the Fijian population.
