6 Sep 2013

CCF readies analysis of Fiji constitution

3:00 pm on 6 September 2013

The Citizens Constitutional Forum in Fiji, or CCF, says it has engaged constitutional experts to analyse the country's new constitution, which is to assented to this afternoon.

The CEO, Reverend Akuila Yabaki, has criticised the constitution, saying it was made not for the people, but for the government.

He says three experts are developing a 30-page analysis of the constitution, which will act as a handbook for those who want to debate its provisions.

"This is a final constitution. So the best and more permanent way of building a critical view of it, and the possibility of any change, is to be able to have a scrutiny of this constitution. That's why we are doing it - a kind of handbook for those who want to continue to work on it in a positive way. Not just to rubbish it, but to have an intelligent engagement."

Reverend Yabaki says the analysis will be released next week.