Fiji will soon have laws in relation to the protection of the country’s flag for the first time ever.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights will look at the National Flag Protection Bill which was tabled in parliament by Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
Debate and vote on the flag bill will take place in July.
The National Flag Protection Bill sets out the specific laws in relation to the Fiji flag.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the country has never had a specific law on the flag of Fiji.
He said the bill talks about the use of the flag and who can use the flag.
The bill also sets out the use of the flag for commercial purposes and how approvals can be taken for that.
Sayed-Khaiyum also said the government is seeking the expedited process because they need two months to prepare for the new flag.
The bill states that the flag shall be respected by every citizen of Fiji.
It says the flag may be used or worn as part of any attire or costume at any national, sporting or entertainment event, or for everyday use.
Any person who uses the flag or associates the use of the flag with any action, speech, writing, or any other means, to demean, disrespect or insult the State, the Government or any member of Government or the general public, commits an offence.
Any person who uses the former flag for any purpose to demean the state also commits an offence.
Any person who desecrates, or performs other acts including tearing, burning or throwing, of the flag, also commits an offence.
Any person who displays, destroys, damages or burns the flag with the intent to incite violence or any breach of peace; or under circumstances in which that person knows it is reasonably likely to produce violence or a breach of peace, also commits an offence.
The bill also states that the flag shall be lowered to half mast as a token of mourning and to commemorate the funerals of the President, the Prime Minister, and such other persons, as may be approved by the Minister from time to time.
Any person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision under the new proposed law commits an offence and shall be liable upon conviction - in the case of a natural person - to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or to both; or in the case of a company, association or body of persons, NGO, Statutory Authority or entity - to a fine not exceeding $500,000, and for the Director, Chief Executive Officer, Manager or officer in charge, to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or to both.
The government has also tabled the bill to protect the Coat of Arms.
Debate and vote on this bill will also take place in July as it has been referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee.
