The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) is set to appoint an impartial international expert as its chairperson, while committee members will be chosen for their non-political backgrounds. Sashi Kiran, the chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, discussed this strategy as a means to ensure objectivity in handling cases of public significance.
Currently, the steering committee is holding public consultations nationwide to gather input that may influence the draft bill meant for parliamentary approval. Kiran mentioned that the proposed draft bill includes provisions for an independent chairperson from abroad.
She assured that the commission would function autonomously, with all committee decisions made free from external influence. During a recent public consultation in Labasa, several participants voiced concerns that appointing someone local might introduce bias in case management. To alleviate these worries, some attendees recommended appointing a highly qualified individual, like Transitional Justice expert Ruben Carranza, as the chairperson.
Fiji Labour Party politician Surendra Lal and other participants stressed the importance of selecting exceptionally skilled members for the commission. Kiran acknowledged these recommendations and emphasized that, besides the chairperson, the four local commissioners must be politically neutral. She stated, “This will be implemented so that people trust the process of fairness and transparency.”
The President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, will endorse the commission’s office bearers. The draft proposal suggests that the commission will operate for 18 months, with the President having the authority to extend this period if necessary. Additional staff members, including translators, counselors, and support personnel, will also be appointed to facilitate these efforts.
Kiran noted that these individuals would travel to various locations across the country to conduct reconciliation initiatives and gather testimonials and feedback. The commission aims to address cases of abuse and violence stemming from historical events that have caused trauma to certain groups, particularly referencing the effects of the 1987 and 2000 coups, during which many in the Indo-Fijian community experienced significant property loss and violence.
Ruben Carranza, a senior expert from the International Centre for Transitional Justice based in New York City, emphasized that the commission’s objective is to resolve these longstanding issues and strive to prevent similar occurrences in the future.