Fiji’s President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has urged national leaders and citizens to lend their support to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), emphasizing its essential role in promoting healing and unity within the country. Addressing the opening of Parliament on Monday, the President highlighted the importance of facing Fiji’s historical challenges with honesty and courage.
“The Truth and Reconciliation Commission plays a vital role in fostering understanding, healing, and unity,” President Naiqama stated. He stressed that the Commission’s success hinges on transparency and broad participation from all sectors of society.
“For the process to achieve its goals, it must be inclusive, transparent, and rooted in truth, underpinned by community engagement to ensure that all voices are heard,” he added. The President particularly encouraged national leaders and citizens, both present and absent from the parliamentary chamber, to actively engage with the TRC.
Naiqama specifically called upon individuals affected by Fiji’s previous political turmoil, including the upheavals of 1987, 2000, and 2006, to share their experiences as a vital part of the reconciliation process. “Their stories, whether shared publicly or privately, will significantly contribute to the overarching goal of truth and reconciliation,” he affirmed.
He further emphasized the importance of approaching the Commission’s findings with responsibility, underscoring the need for the recommendations to inform actionable steps towards reconciliation, institutional learning, and enduring social unity. “We must handle the Commission’s findings with maturity, turning them into practical measures that enhance reconciliation and bolster social cohesion.”
President Naiqama’s comments not only outline the government’s agenda but also set a hopeful tone for fostering unity and inclusivity throughout Fiji’s diverse communities. By doing so, he reinforces the commitment to overcoming past divisions and building a more harmonious society moving forward.
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