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The Constitution of Fiji is the supreme law of Fiji. There have been four Constitutions since the first was adopted in 1970. The first constitution, adopted in 1970 upon independence, was abrogated following two military coups in 1987. A second constitution, the Constitution of the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji, was adopted
Fiji's fourth constitution, the 2013 Constitution of Fiji, was signed into law by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau on 6 September 2013, coming into effect immediately. [1] [2] It is the first to eliminate race-based electoral rolls, race-based seat quotas, district-based representation, the unelected upper chamber, and the role of the hereditary Council of Chiefs.
Fijians and all other imperial citizens were British subjects; any person born in Fiji, the United Kingdom, or anywhere else within Crown dominions was a natural-born British subject. [10] British nationality law during this time was uncodified and did not have a standard set of regulations, [11] relying instead on precedent and common law. [12]
The second principle is that, as far as practicable, the composition of the judiciary should reflect Fiji's ethnic balance and should aim for substantially equal representation of males and females. Section 135 requires all judges, before taking office, to take the oath (prescribed in Part D of the Schedule) before the President of Fiji.
The Great Council of Chiefs, a powerful gathering of mainly high chiefs which, among other prerogatives, elects the President of Fiji, also endorsed the report in June. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1997 was passed by the House of Representatives on 3 July that year, and by the Senate on 10 July. President Mara signed it into law on 25 July ...
This implies the stand that Fiji will take on behalf of human rights in international forums such as the United Nations. Section 22 guarantees the most fundamental right of all — the right to life. Sections 23 to 29 set out people's basic judicial rights, and spell out the limitations on the powers of law enforcement authorities.
Parliament may, however, make laws regulating the police force. Section 112 outlines the organization of the Military of Fiji, called the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. The President, on the advice of the appropriate Minister, appoints a Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, who is answerable to the said Minister. The Commander ...
Section 1 states that "The Republic of the Fiji Islands is a sovereign, democratic state." This underscoring of Fiji's commitment to democracy comes against the backdrop of political instability that has sometimes plagued Fiji, resulting in two coups d'état prior to the adoption of the constitution, and a third and fourth since.