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Declaration - Republic of Fiji Decree 1987 No. 8

GOVERNMENT OF FIJI

DECLARATION — REPUBLIC OF FIJI DECREE 1987 NO. 8

INTERIM MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF FIJI DECREE NO. 8

IN exercise of the powers vested in me as Commander and Head of the Interim Military Government of Fiji I hereby make the following Decree:

1. This Decree may be cited as the Declaration—Republic of Fiji Decree 1987 No. 8.

WHEREAS the People of Fiji have expressed their desire to have a new Constitution for the advancement of their beliefs, rights and freedoms. and trusting in Almighty God and His blessing upon this Decree I hereby proclaim that as from this day forth Fiji is declared a Republic and that the People of Fiji shall embrace the Constitution that:

(a) requires that a new Constitution replace the Constitution under which they attained independence on 10th October 1970:
(b) they freely accept that it is desirous that the Constitution be replaced so that the will of the people may be truly set forth and their hopes. aspirations and goals be achieved and thereby enshrined:
(c) re-affirm that the indigenous Fijian race is endowed with their lands and the right to govern themselves for their advancement and welfare:
(d) re-affirm that the Nation is founded upon principles that acknowledge the Deity and the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. the importance and place of the family in a free society with free institutions and unalterable and inalienable belief and faith in the fun-fundamental rights and freedoms with which all brethren in the fellowship of men are possessed:
(e) re-confirm that Fiji is a democratic society in which all peoples may. to the full extent of their capacity play some part in the institutions of the national life and thereby develop and maintain due deference and respect each other and the rule of law:
(f) re-assert their recognition that the indigenous people of Fiji in respecting the rights of their brethren to live in harmony are entitled to due deference to their customs and traditional way of life.
(g) reiterate their recognition that people and institutions remain free only when and for so long as freedom is founded upon respect for the spiritual and moral values of each other and a mutual observance of the rule of law.

Dated 7th October 1987.

COLONEL SITIVENI LIGAMAMADA RABUKA. OBE. (Mil.)
Commander and Head of the Interim Military Government of Fiji