ALL rights stipulated in the 1997 Constitution should be upheld as they correspond to the rights expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This is the belief of the School Management Association of Fiji in its written submission to the Constitution Commission on Monday.
It said the rights constitute freedom of speech, freedom of religion and conscience, freedom to meet and join organisations, and right to life. The association said the rights in the 1997 Constitution also include the right not to be imprisoned (except for committing a crime) or to be enslaved or tortured.
Also, it said, they include the right to own property and not to have it unfairly taken away by anyone including the government; right to a fair trial if accused of a crime; and right to privacy.
"It is generally understood that with rights comes responsibilities," the association said in its submission.
The association said the rights must also recognise, safeguard and protect the rights of minorities and the rights of the migrant people duly enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It said Convention on the Rights of the Child should be treated in the context of the declared rights of the family.
"Clear articulation on the limitations of rights must be provided.
"Constitution must re-organise the need for education on this matter as of critical importance towards national harmony and nation building."