31 Aug 2012

Chaudhry says no to immunity for coup perpetrators in Fiji's new constitution

4:38 am on 31 August 2012

The leader of the Fiji Labour Party says the new constitution should not give immunity to coup perpetrators as they are the ones responsible for political upheaval in the country.

Mahendra Chaudhry, who was re-elected unopposed as the leader of the Labour Party on the weekend, says the constitution should look closely at the role of the military.

He says the Labour Party is still developing its policies, but in principle it supports the 1987 constitution, with some amendments.

He says those involved with staging coups in the country should have a life ban from holding public office imposed on them.

"They've been responsible for the upheaval that has taken place in the country since 1987, they have staged all the coups that have taken place since 1987. We feel that there should not be immunity given to perpetrators of the coups, we also of teh view that these people should be barred for life from holding any public office. So we are still developing our thoughts on that."

The leader of the Fiji Labour Party, Mahendra Chaudhry.