CRC Proposes National Process to Decide Common Identity

The common national identity of “Fijian” could be reconsidered through nationwide consultations and ultimately a referendum under recommendations by the Constitution Review Commission.

The majority of Commissioners has recommended removing the reference to “Fijians” from Section 5 of the Constitution and creating a new Section 6 specifically dealing with National Identity.

Under the proposal, all citizens would continue to be known as Fijians for an initial interim period of up to 12 months while broad-based and culturally appropriate consultations are held across all communities.

If no clear consensus is reached, or it appears unlikely that consensus will be reached, a referendum would be held within the following 12 months to determine the majority view on a common national identity.

Parliament would pass legislation setting out how the consultation process would operate and how the majority view would be determined.

The Commission says the proposal follows concerns raised by Indigenous Fijian submitters about the use of the name “Fijian” as the common national identity, although it acknowledges that this view was not unanimous.

A minority of Commissioners disagreed with the proposal and recommended that “Fijian” continue to be recognised as the common national identity for all citizens.

On citizenship, the Commission has also recommended changing birthright citizenship so that a child born in Fiji would qualify where at least one parent is a Fiji citizen or permanent resident.