1997 Constitution of Fiji: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Bill of Rights. Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Fiji is titled Bill of Rights. It is one of the longest chapters of the Constitution, comprising a total of twenty-three sections.

1997 Constitution of Fiji
Preamble

Chapters
1: The State
2: Compact
3: Citizenship
4: Bill of Rights
5: Social Justice
6: The Parliament
7: Executive Government
8: Great Council of Chiefs
9: Judiciary
10: State Services
11: Accountability
12: Revenue and Expenditure
13: Group Rights
14: Emergency Powers
15: Amendment of Constitution
16: Commencement, Interpretation and Repeals
17: Schedule Oaths and Affirmations

Fiji's Bill of Rights covers Sections 21 through 43 of the Constitution. Significantly, it sets out the rights of the people and the limitations on the powers of the various branches of government, before specifying the structure of the government. The idea is that the government is subject to human rights, rather than the reverse.

Section 21 deals with the application of the Bill of rights. It binds all members of all branches of the Fijian government — legislative, executive, or judicial — at all levels: central, divisional, and local. Laws conflicting with the Bill of Rights are prohibited. Clause 6 of this section goes so far as to declare, "To the extent that it is capable of doing so, this Chapter extends to things done or actions taken outside Fiji." 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.

Sections 30 through 39 set out personal and communal freedoms. Except in a few limtied circumstances related to national security, public safety or health, people are guaranteed freedom of expression (Section 30) assembly (including the right to protest and demonstrate — Section 31), and association (Section 32). Hate speech, slander, and defamation are explicitly excluded from the protection of the Freedom of Expression clause.

Sections 41 through 43 deal with matters concerning the enforcement of the Bill of Rights, and its interpretation.

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