Archbishop opposes Fijian Constitution’s blanket immunity

Speaking at the Diwali Talanoa on Friday, Archbishop Loy Chong said reconciliation could not be achieved without truth-telling, particularly from victims of past injustices. He said the reconciliation process should not begin with political and military leaders but with those who had suffered.

“The reconciliation process must involve truth-telling – a confession of the wrong that is done. And this truth-telling must begin with the victims, not from the military, not from the Prime Minister, from the real victims of past injustices,” he said.

Provisions in Fiji’s current 2013 Constitution protect past coup-makers, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and now his government is pushing for future immunity too, Radio New Zealand reported.

A Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 is being considered by a Special Parliamentary Committee. A referendum is proposed, with a general election due by February 6, 2027.

Archbishop Loy Chong questioned the effectiveness of blanket amnesty provisions, saying they did not hold wrongdoers responsible for their actions.

“So blanket amnesty, as reflected in our Constitution, does not make wrongdoers responsible for the wrong they did. And it breeds a culture of vengeance,” he said.

Archbishop Loy Chong said reconciliation was a spiritual process and should go beyond legislation, political strategies and traditional ceremonies.

Quoting the late South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, he said victims needed to identify the wrongdoing and those responsible before genuine forgiveness could take place.

FULL STORY

Archbishop challenges blanket constitutional immunity provisions (By Julia Vadei/Fiji Times)

Fiji PM Rabuka delays vote on Constitution Bill after mounting pressure (Radio New Zealand)

Fiji military chief urges accountability to the people amid coup immunity debate (Radio New Zealand)