NGO Coalition on Human Rights Responds to GCC Constitutional Proposals
8 Apr, 2026
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) and our allies express deep disappointment and serious concern at the range of proposals attributed to the Great Council of Chiefs in submissions to the Constitution Review Commission. We call on all leaders and institutions to approach these discussions with care, responsibility, and a firm commitment to protecting the rights of all people in Fiji.
The Coalition supports the statement made by Fiji SOGIESC-led groups and emphasizes that Fiji’s future must be built on a foundation that fosters unity, upholds human rights, and respects the dignity of every person.
Based on reports in the media, the Great Council of Chiefs has proposed to reserve the term “Fijian” exclusively for iTaukei people, to grant the Council authority to appoint the President and Vice-President, to amend constitutional protections relating to children to allow punishment at the discretion of parents and teachers, to remove the words “gender” and “sexual orientation” from Section 26(3) on equality and freedom from discrimination, and critically, to repeal the constitutional provision that establishes Fiji as a secular State.
The NGOCHR stresses that these proposals have no place in an evolving democracy such as Fiji and are a distressing retreat from democratic principles. Taken together, they represent a significant potential rollback of constitutional and human rights protections and raise serious concerns about the future of equality, inclusion, and democratic governance.
The Coalition is particularly alarmed by the proposal to remove Fiji’s constitutional status as a secular State. Secularism is a fundamental safeguard in a diverse, multi-faith society such as Fiji. It ensures that the State remains neutral in matters of religion, protects freedom of belief, and guarantees that no individual or group is privileged or disadvantaged on the basis of faith.
In a country where communities of different faiths have long coexisted, the constitutional commitment to secularism has been essential in maintaining balance, fairness, and mutual respect. The removal of this protection opens the door to exclusion, discrimination, and the politicization of religion in public life. This would contradict Fiji’s international commitment under the International Convention on the Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Fiji has already ratified.
We cannot stress enough that the recognition of all citizens as “Fijians” is a foundational principle of equal citizenship and national unity. While the rights of iTaukei people – including land, culture, and traditional governance – must be fully respected and protected, these rights must coexist with a shared civic identity that affirms equality for all.
The proposal to vest the authority to appoint the President and Vice-President in the Great Council of Chiefs raises serious constitutional concerns. Public offices of such significance must be filled through processes that are transparent, accountable, and reflective of democratic principles. Any reform must strengthen institutional legitimacy, not concentrate authority in ways that risk weakening checks and balances.
The Coalition expresses strong opposition to any amendment to Section 41 on the Rights of the Child that would permit punishment at the discretion of parents and teachers. Children have an inherent right to dignity and protection from all forms of violence. Fiji’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are clear: children must be protected in all settings. Any weakening of these protections would be a serious step backward and could expose children to harm under the guise of discipline.
Equally concerning is the proposal to remove “gender” and “sexual orientation” from Section 26(3). These protections are essential to ensuring that all people in Fiji are treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of who they are. The Constitution must empower and protect the most vulnerable, not a mechanism through which protections are diluted. Any attempt to narrow the scope of non-discrimination risks legitimizing exclusion and undermining Fiji’s commitments to international human rights standards, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These frameworks place clear obligations on States to uphold equality before the law, protect individuals from discrimination, provide legal safeguards to challenge such discrimination, and ensure the full enjoyment of fundamental rights for all.
Constitutional reform is a matter of national importance and must be guided by inclusive, transparent, and participatory processes. It must reflect the voices of all communities, including women, young people, persons with disabilities, faith groups, and marginalized populations, and must be grounded in the principles of equality, dignity, and justice. Given the sensitivity of the issues being raised, the State has a responsibility to help foster respectful and informed dialogue, grounded in the protection of fundamental human rights. This includes ensuring that there are clear guardrails around these conversations, so they remain constructive, forward-looking, and inclusive — and do not create space for exclusionary or harmful rhetoric.
We call on traditional leaders across Fiji to actively engage in this process in ways that reflect the values of equality, inclusion, fairness, and respect for all. It is important that diverse voices within traditional leadership are heard, and that leadership reflects the realities and aspirations of Fiji in 2026 and into the future.
NGOCHR also calls on all Fijians to make their voices heard. Participate in the constitutional reform process, make submissions, and contribute to shaping the future of our country. When proposals risk undermining rights, equality, inclusive democracy, and the secular foundations of the State, the public must speak clearly and collectively in defense of these principles.
“We must be clear that it is not for institutions to dictate what the Constitution must contain. The Constitution belongs to the people of Fiji, and its future must be shaped by them through a genuinely participatory process. Consultation alone is not enough. A participatory process is essential – one that shares power, not merely seeks input, and ensures that all voices are heard, particularly those of communities who are often excluded from decision-making,” said NGOCHR Chair Shamima Ali.
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights will be making a formal submission to the Constitution Review Commission in the coming days.
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For media queries, please email fwcc.shamima@gmail.com
The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre currently serves as the secretariat of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR), with Coordinator Shamima Ali as Chair. Members of the NGOCHR include the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF), femLINKPacific, Social Empowerment and Education Program (SEEP), Diverse Voices and Action for Equality Fiji (DIVA), and Pacific Network on Globalization (PANG), which is an observer.