Cook Islands Ombudsman Niki Rattle is calling for a public consultation to better inform the public following the Special Select Committee’s initiative to seek public views on the religious controversy around the Constitution and the Religious Organisation Restrictions Act 1975.

The newly selected Special Select Committee chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tingika Elikana, tasked to address the ongoing debate on religious organisations, is considering a proposal to amend the Constitution and declare the Cook Islands a Christian nation.

The Committee in a public notice, invited written submissions from any person or organisations, focusing on a proposal to introduce a Constitutional Amendment that will recognise the Cook Islands as a Christian nation, “with the protection and promotion of the Christian faith as the basis for the laws and governance of the country”.

In an interview with Cook Islands News, Rattle said the committee’s initiative to seek public view on the matter is a good first step as it is a sensitive issue.

While she believes a public consultation is appropriate, she also urged members of the public especially those who ae opposing to speak out.

“No one expected a religion like that to start up so it is good that people are careful and if people have said no, then it is a good thing to look into it and I’m happy that the committee had to look into it seriously because the constitution said freedom,” she said.

“There needs to be consultations for people to understand for people opposing to the constitution and when people fully understand.

“Our religion is very close to people’s hearts and I guess people don’t want interference of something they don’t want and we do live in a different world now with all sorts of nationalities and beliefs in our country so it is fair for those in that new religion that the committee is looking into this.”

According to the Ombudsman, if there is opposition, then it is important to look into what that objection means adding that it is a fair way to do it.

“We do have a constitution that says what it says so I think we owe it to ourselves to look into it to and I don’t think there’s anything wrong hearing the people,” Rattle added.

“People have to come forth and speak out what they already discussed about.”

Meanwhile, Elikana in a previous interview emphasised the Committee’s mandate to assess the community’s stance on the issue.

“Parliament established this special committee to look into the religious organisations present in the Cook Islands and the Act (Religious Organisation Restrictions Act 1975) itself. The reason is to gauge the feelings out there in our community,” the Pukapuka-Nassau MP said.

The public submissions, requested in a notice, are central to the Committee’s inquiry.

While the proposal focuses on recognising the Cook Islands as a Christian nation, Elikana acknowledged the broader implications.

“One thing we need to understand is that the Cook Islands is a party to international charters, like the UN Charter of Rights and the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, which clearly recognise freedom of choice, freedom of religion, and equal treatment before the law,” he said.