CONSULTATION BEGINS ON NEW CONSTITUTION FOR PITCAIRN
Governor George Fergusson has addressed a Special Council Meeting to
present a draft new Constitution for Pitcairn. This
marked the beginning of a consultation period during which all
Pitcairners and other interested persons are invited to submit comments
to the Governor’s Office by end October 2009.
Presentation of the new draft coincides with a visit to the island by
Human Rights trainers from the Commonwealth Foundation at the request
of the community. The trainers will be well placed to advise
on important aspects of the proposed Constitution, including rights and
freedoms of the individual.
The aim of the new draft is to modernise Pitcairn’s outdated
Constitution to respond to the demands and obligations of the 21st
century. As well as setting out islanders’ rights
and responsibilities it also incorporates the Island Council into the
Constitution for the first time, introduces an obligation for Council
to be consulted on draft legislation in most circumstances, appoints an
Attorney General and brings the Court system into the Constitution.
