The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) is set to appoint a neutral international expert as its chairperson, while committee members will be chosen for their apolitical background. Sashi Kiran, chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, shared this strategy in response to questions about maintaining impartiality in adjudicating public interest cases.
Currently, the steering committee is conducting public consultations nationwide to collect input for the draft bill that will require parliamentary approval. Kiran noted that the proposal includes the appointment of an independent chairman from abroad. She emphasized that the commission will function autonomously, with all decision-making carried out by the committee without external influence.
During a recent public consultation in Labasa, some attendees raised concerns about the potential biases associated with appointing a local chairperson. To alleviate these worries, several participants recommended the appointment of a distinguished figure like Ruben Carranza, a Transitional Justice expert. Fiji Labour Party representative Surendra Lal and others stressed the importance of including highly skilled individuals in the commission.
Kiran acknowledged these suggestions and stated that, in addition to the chairperson, all four local committee members must also have no political ties. She highlighted that this measure is intended to foster public trust in the fairness and transparency of the process.
The commission’s officials will be confirmed by President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. As outlined in the draft proposal, the commission will operate for an initial period of 18 months, after which the President will determine if extensions are necessary. The commission will also appoint special staff, including translators, counselors, and support personnel, who will travel to various locations to facilitate reconciliation efforts and gather testimonies.
The commission aims to tackle issues of abuse and violence stemming from historical events that have caused trauma within specific community segments. This includes addressing the repercussions of the coups in 1987 and 2000, during which the Indo-Fijian community experienced considerable property damage, violence, and mistreatment.
Ruben Carranza, a senior expert at the International Centre for Transitional Justice based in New York City, emphasized that the commission seeks to address these grievances and work toward preventing similar incidents in the future.