Fiji
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- republic
- CONSTITUTION
- July 25, 1997, effective from July 28, 1998
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on the British system
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral parliament
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court, Magistrates' Courts
RELIGIONS
majority Methodist; 34% Hindu, 7% Muslims
From the country
- FEBRUARY 20, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Sparing rebel George Speight's life was the only sane...
Sparing rebel George Speight's life was the only sane option - but much work remains for Fiji to repair the damage he left behind
- FEBRUARY 20, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
The family of jailed coup leader George Speight will...
The family of jailed coup leader George Speight will appeal his life sentence
- FEBRUARY 20, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Tribal chiefs and supporters of George Speight plan...
Tribal chiefs and supporters of George Speight plan to petition president Ratu Josefa Iloilo for an absolute pardon for the coup leader
- FEBRUARY 19, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
A bill to strike out the death penalty is expected...
A bill to strike out the death penalty is expected to be presented to Parliament today
- FEBRUARY 19, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Fears of a revolt led to a decision to commute George...
Fears of a revolt led to a decision to commute George Speight's sentence to life
- FEBRUARY 19, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Three key rebels who helped coup leader George Speight...
Three key rebels who helped coup leader George Speight to overthrow Fiji's first ethnic-government in 2000 were jailed for three years each
- FEBRUARY 18, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Fiji coup leader George Speight escaped the death penalty...
Fiji coup leader George Speight escaped the death penalty when the South Pacific island nation's president commuted a death sentence for treason to life imprisonment
- FEBRUARY 18, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Samisoni Tikoinasau, the brother of coup leader George...
Samisoni Tikoinasau, the brother of coup leader George Speight, said his brother had been hoodwinked by the military after they promised him and his supporters immunity through the Muanikau Accord which they did not honour
- FEBRUARY 18, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
Deposed the government of Mahendra Chaudhry said he...
Deposed the government of Mahendra Chaudhry said he was surprised by Speight's guilty plea, and the speed with which his sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment
- FEBRUARY 18, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
New Zealand opposed a death sentence handed down to...
New Zealand opposed a death sentence handed down to Fiji coup leader George Speight, but said he should be jailed for life for overthrowing the South Pacific government in May 2000
- FEBRUARY 18, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
The managing director of Auckland's Radio Tarana, Robert...
The managing director of Auckland's Radio Tarana, Robert Khan, said the station was flooded with calls from Fiji Indians who were happy at the death sentence but were worried that it would be commuted
- FEBRUARY 15, 2002FijiDEATH PENALTY
The future of Fiji's indigenous government was in doubt...
The future of Fiji's indigenous government was in doubt after a court ruled it must include the ethnic Indian-dominated Labour party of Mahendra Chaudhry, who was ousted in a racially inspired 2000 coup