Tonga's Constitutional Monarchy form of Government came under scrutiny during a three-.-–day Human Rights Educational and Awareness Consultation seminar that was hosted by the Human Rights and Democracy Movement in Tonga in Nuku'alofa, July 7-9.

Presentations discussed how democratic or how undemocratic the system is. A number of provocative topics were raised, such as, Dignity, Freedom and Responsibility from a Christian Perspective, Human Rights issues in Tonga, UN Human rights instruments, Characteristics of Democracy, Advantages and Problems of Democracy, Good Governance and Tongan Culture, and Accountability and Transparency.

However, anyone who went to the seminar with the intention of making a reasonable choice on whether democracy is good for Tonga or not, would have left the seminar more frustrated than ever because some of the discussions were open-ended and in the end participants and listeners were not offered conclusions upon which they could make choices.

During a panel discussion on the Advantages and Problems of Democracy, Lopeti Senituli, the former director of HRDMT, but now the director of the Tonga Trust, presented what he considered to be the strengths and the weaknesses of the Tongan system of government.

Top on his list of strengths was the granting of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms in the 1875 Constitution, the Emancipation Act of 1862 and Tonga's unique land tenure system.

Top on his list of weaknesses was the severe restrictions on the rights of the people to change their government at the national level, the existence of a structure that is founded on the principles of unequal dignity, unequal value, unequal sanctity and unequal human rights; as well as the duplicity of powers between on the one hand His Majesty in Privy Council and on the other the Legislative Assembly; and on the one hand His Majesty in Privy Council and on the other the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Another panelist on the same topic was a former Minister of Justice, Tevita Tupou who made a presentation on the advantages and the disadvantages of a democratically elected government.

Top on his list of disadvantages of democracy was that an inappropriate person may be elected to a cabinet ministerial position, compared with a system like Tonga's where the King might appoint someone who has the right qualification for the post. Tevita also pointed out the high cost involved during the elections in a multi-party system of government.

People who were searching for a conclusion to the debate may have found the seminar frustrating but the seminar may be consider a great success since it was educational and it has aroused some awareness on Democracy.