The Opposition bloc has pledged to boycott Thursday’s Special Parliament Sitting called by the government to debate 25 constitutional amendments that aim to reduce incentives for political instability as well as other changes.
Opposition Leader, Ishmael Kalsakau says the boycott will be in protest of the government’s proposed constitutional amendments as well as its handling of the proposed changes.
Mr Kalsakau claimed the amendments are unconstitutional as they do not conform with the spirit of the constitution in respect to the traditional beliefs and Christian principles, the United Nations Charter on Human Rights and is also undemocratic.
He said issues concerned in the constitutional amendments directly affect the people’s lives therefore people must be consulted through a referendum prior to the enactment of the changes.
“These proposed constitutional amendments were brought up just after two months since the formation of the present coalition government without prior consultation with the people. They were approved by the Council of Ministers and sent to the Attorney General’s Office for finalization and disbursement.”
The constitution is not like any other piece of legislation therefore any such abrupt change could undermine the credibility of the national constitution,” said the Leader of Opposition.
Opposition said the last constitutional amendment on land with regard to customary ownership has proved futile and is getting us nowhere, and any rush to further amend the constitution will only open-up for other countries to “play around with us”.
Mr Kalsakau said “Issues concerning the rights of people, women issues, and others, cannot be forced through political will but must be determined by the people because the changes would eventually redesign their roots and set new course for their livelihood”.
And because Vanuatu culture and history is entrenched in the island's population and make it one of the most culturally diverse countries, Mr Kalsakau said the proposed amendments would likely infringe the freedom of association currently enjoyed by parties like the Fren Melanesian Party which is based on custom beliefs.
“We will protest by boycotting parliament on Thursday and our action will challenge the government’s two-third majority status, and if it falls short of its two-third majority, parliament will have to be forced to adjourn the special parliamentary sitting to Monday next week, which again clashes with the date already set for the extra ordinary sitting,” the Leader of Opposition reasoned.
But if the government did secure the support of two-third of the 52 MPs, we will join the debate and make it one of the most heated debate ever for Vanuatu, he added.
Deputy Leader of Opposition Sato Kilman observed that the haste to amend the constitution prior to a referendum could leave one to believe that the government is in fear of losing its numbers in the coming days.
Photo: Leader of Opposition, Ishmael Kalsakau