Former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and convicted former Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho were not formally requested for release to attend the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Reconciliation and Restoration programme last Saturday. Jalesi Nakarawa, the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, confirmed that he received no notification regarding any such request.
During the reconciliation event, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka expressed his desire for Bainimarama and Qiliho to participate. The ceremony, held at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, Suva, was attended by members of the RFMF and the families impacted by the November 2, 2000 mutiny. Among the attendees was Shane Stevens, a former member of the RFMF Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) Unit involved in the mutiny.
Rabuka acknowledged his role and expressed remorse for the actions taken during the mutiny, specifically requesting forgiveness from the affected families and the RFMF. He also indicated that Bainimarama and Qiliho would later join the event, which led to some communication among his protocol team concerning their potential attendance.
However, Nakarawa clarified that he was unaware of any official request for the duo’s release, indicating that there should have been a formal notification to proceed with such arrangements as mandated by the Corrections Service Act of 2006.
The act provides for short-term releases under certain conditions, such as attending educational instruction or facilitating re-entry into the community under supervision. This incident highlights the complexities surrounding communication and procedures in matters of corrections and prisoner rehabilitation.
Despite the missing attendance of Bainimarama and Qiliho, the acknowledgement and willingness of leaders to seek reconciliation could pave the way for potential healing and unity in Fiji moving forward. The emphasis on forgiveness and understanding at this important ceremony serves as a reminder of the progress that can be made through open dialogue and recognition of past grievances.
Overall, this situation underscores the importance of clear communication in official matters and opens the door for future dialogue that may further aid in reconciliation efforts within the community.
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