Fiji needs to ensure that its Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) operates without any political interference. This message was conveyed by Ruben Carranza, a senior expert from the International Center for Transitional Justice, during a public consultation regarding the legal framework for establishing the Fiji TRC, which took place in Nausori.
Carranza emphasized that while certain measures can be established through legislation, the political environment may present different challenges. He noted that financial independence is crucial for a TRC’s operation. Many truth commissions prepare budgets that must be approved by legislative bodies. He cautioned that politicians may attempt to exert control over a truth commission by manipulating funding or monopolizing budget hearings to address the commission’s work.
He referenced Liberia, where former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf had been summoned to testify before the truth commission. There was considerable debate about whether the commission had the authority to summon a sitting president. Although the law permitted it, the dynamic changes when powerful individuals perceive themselves as above accountability standards.
Carranza pointed out that even with legislative frameworks in place, the enforcement of independence is a significant concern, particularly regarding final reports. He cited the Solomon Islands, where a report mandated by law for submission to both Parliament and the Prime Minister was not released until last year, despite being completed in 2007. This example highlights that legislation may not suffice if political dynamics diverge from legal expectations.