The International Parliamentary Union’s Governing Council believes that the Fijian parliament should swiftly lift the suspensions of opposition parliamentarians Tupou Draunidalo and Ratu Isoa Tikoca.

Their written decision for both suspended parliamentarians has been sent to the Speaker of Parliament Doctor Jiko Luveni.

The IPU Council calls on parliament to take the necessary action.

In its decision for Draunidalo and Tikoca, the IPU Council reaffirms that freedom of expression is absolutely essential to parliamentary mandate and that the exercise of this right includes not only statements that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive, but also those that may offend, shock or disturb others.

The IPU Council considers in this regard that, although Tupou Draunidalo could have responded differently to the situation at hand, her words fall squarely within her right to freedom of expression.

It also considers that any concerns about her words would have been best settled directly and immediately in the plenary of parliament.

The council also considers that Tikoca’s words, although touching on sensitive societal matters, fall within his right of freedom of expression.

The IPU committee and council are concerned that the constitution read together with the Parliamentary Standing Orders does not provide sufficient legal certainty and clarity as a basis for the suspension of Draunidalo and Tikoca for the remainder of their terms and that such long term suspensions are wholly disproportionate.

The IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong has also written to the Leader of the Opposition Ro Teimumu Kepa that the committee would be interested to hear from her on whether she is intending to bring this matter up for consideration in parliament.

In its recommendation for both Draunidalo and Tikoca, the Parliamentary Privileges Committee had said that there is a pressing need to strengthen institutions, and in particular parliament or the legislature, which was directly and physically attacked in the coups of 1987 and 2000.

The privileges committee had also said that it is critical that children and the younger population are not exposed to these types of racial slurs as the norm, or do not see that parliament is condoning such behaviour by an honourable member of parliament.

When contacted by Fijivillage, Speaker of Parliament Doctor Jiko Luveni said that she is yet to receive the IPU correspondence and when she does, she will formally send it to both the Government and the Opposition for their comments and what action they want to take.

Doctor Luveni says her role will then ensure the relevant Parliamentary process is complied with on their proposed action.