FIJI Constitution Commission chairman Professor Yash Ghai believes that the government should not scrutinise or criticise submissions made by people in the constitution consultation process.
Prof Ghai told The Fiji Times yesterday that the process was transparent and an open one.
"This is a free process," he said.
"The Constitution Commission is an independent body and is here to listen to the people of Fiji.
"This is the process where we encourage people of all ethnicity, class and community to come forward and make their views known to us."
Prof Ghai said the commission was mandated to listen to all who make submissions to them and they would take every submission made to the commission seriously.
"This is why we are here — to listen to the people," he said. "We encourage everyone from all ethnic background to come forward and make submissions," he said.
He said those who could not appear before the commission and make a submission could send in their submissions through e-mail, by post or hand-deliver it to them.
Prof Ghai said Fijians of Indian descent as well as Rotumans, Banabans, Chinese and other communities who were Fijians and the iTaukei members should come forward and make their views known.
Permanent secretary for Information, Sharon Smith-Johns said, "We do not want to comment, because we will distract the process.
"I think people need to shut up," she said. "Professor Yash Ghai has been making these statements from the beginning," said Ms Smith-Johns.