Fijian chief warns immunity debate must address social inequality

Ratu Tevita Mara, the paramount chief of Fiji's Lau province, has warned that discussions regarding immunity clauses for past coup leaders must not be treated in isolation from the country's underlying social and economic issues.

As the public consultation phase for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill begins, Mara emphasized that lasting reconciliation requires addressing economic disparity, the drug crisis, and the HIV crisis within iTaukei communities. He noted that many iTaukei families remain economically marginalized, with official statistics showing 36 percent of the iTaukei population living below the basic-needs poverty line, compared to 20 percent of Indo-Fijians.

The current Rabuka administration is undergoing a constitutional reform process that could lead to a fifth constitution for the nation by the end of the year. While the Fiji Supreme Court previously advised that immunity provisions in the 2013 Constitution cannot be changed, Mara argued that failing to address the grievances exploited during past political upheavals in 1987 and 2000 would prevent true stability.