11 Aug 2012

Broad immunity request in Fiji submission

7:11 am on 11 August 2012

Submissions to the Fiji Constitutional Commission have included a request to grant immunity to all coup perpetrators.

The Fiji interim government has earlier said an immunity clause would be written into the constitution, but yesterday the Fiji Sun reported a submission was made asking for the same immunity to be given to those involved in the 2000 coup.

A businessman George Speight is serving life imprisonment for his role in the 2000 coup.

Other submissions have included protecting children's rights by abolishing corporal punishment in schools, introducing social welfare for those over 60 years of age and restricting the roles of Prime Minister and President to i-taukei, or indigenous Fijians.

Five commissioners heard submissions in Navua and Korovisilou yesterday.

The consultation process began last month, but the interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has told the Fiji Sun he would give the Constitutional Commission a month's extension to complete its work should it request it.