Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Fiji commission has duty to meet with community outside hearings: Ghai

Posted at 16:19 on 21 August, 2012 UTC

Fiji’s Constitution Commission Chairman Yash Ghai says it’s part of the Commission’s function to meet the community, and that includes briefings with the interim leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

He was reacting to comments last week by Commodore Bainimarama that the Commission should not be subject to pressure by meeting privately with groups like politicians, NGOs and trade unionists.

The regime leader says such groups should be making their views known during public hearings.

But Professor Ghai says talks with the Commodore, civil society and politicians are part of keeping the public informed.

“We are entitled under the decree to have consultations as opposed to public hearings and there’s nothing unusual in my meeting him any more than it is unusual meeting with political parties or trade unions.”

Fiji’s Constitution Commission Chairman, Yash Ghai.