Laisenia Qarase: Bill

“The sections of the Bill dealing with amnesty were not plucked out of thin air. They have been taken from legislation adopted and successfully used elsewhere. The principles of amnesty are well known and accepted internationally. We have done the research on this.”

Laisenia Qarase

14 June 2005
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“We are trying to establish a process beginning with problems arising from 2000. In the second part of the Bill we propose to establish a permanent national council for promotion of reconciliation, unity and tolerance and that to me is most important part of this Bill.”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission, Response to continuing opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, 30 July 2005

Problem , Parting

“The foundation in which the Bill was introduced was for the Government to offer a political solution that was legally binding, because if the Government had not introduced the Unity Bill, the investigations will never end. Trial after trial and the list goes on. About 2500 people have been investigated. Those who turned up in Parliament was close to 20,000 people. I mean, if 10,000 to 20,000 people are going to be investigated, God knows when it will end.”

Laisenia Qarase

8 July 2005
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

God , People

“I emphasise again that people who participated in the 2000 uprising with criminal intent, as established by the police, will continue to be subject to the full force of the law. The Bill is not intended to provide relief to those who used the coup for their own gain or other criminal intent.”

Laisenia Qarase

14 June 2005
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

People , Law

“"The decision (of the Great Council of Chiefs to endorse the bill) was made in the best interest of the country and a significant milestone in the process of consultation"..”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission, Response to the decision of the Great Council of Chiefs to endorse the bill, 28 July 2005

Decision , Country

“"Any Bill is drafted without consulting any party or stakeholders is because it contains what the Government wants to be included in the Bill." (20 May 2005, explaining why he had not consulted the Great Council of Chiefs on the legislation).”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission

“I think the overwhelming Fijian support for the Bill is saying we are offering a hand of reconciliation, a hand of forgiveness, a hand of friendship, a hand of repentance and unity. I were in Chaudhry's shoes I would grab the opportunity to try and establish dialogue through this Bill with the Fijian people to promote reconciliation and unity and I will do the same with Mr Beddoes as well. He has expressed his opposition to the Bill. This is a rare opportunity for them to help bridge the obvious gulf between our people.”

Laisenia Qarase

Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission, Response to continuing opposition to the Reconciliation, Tolerance, and Unity Bill, 30 July 2005

Friendship , People , Shoe , Forgiveness

“Any Bill is drafted without consulting any party or stakeholders is because it contains what the Government wants to be included in the Bill.”

Laisenia Qarase

20 May 2005, explaining why he had not consulted the Great Council of Chiefs on the legislation
Additional remarks about the proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission