The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) plans to appoint a neutral international expert as chairperson, while committee members will be chosen for their apolitical backgrounds. Sashi Kiran, the chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, shared these details regarding the commission’s approach to maintaining impartiality in public interest cases. The steering committee is actively holding public consultations nationwide to gather input for a draft bill that will be presented to Parliament.
Kiran stated, “This neutral appointment is part of the draft bill, which proposes an independent chair from overseas.” She emphasized that the commission would function independently, ensuring all decisions are made by the committee without external influence.
During a recent public consultation in Labasa, some attendees expressed worry that appointing a local chairperson could introduce bias in handling cases. In response, participants recommended appointing a qualified individual such as transitional justice expert Ruben Carranza for the chairperson role. Fiji Labour Party politician Surendra Lal and other attendees underscored the importance of selecting highly capable members for the commission.
Kiran noted these suggestions, mentioning that, alongside the chairperson, the four local committee members must also have no political ties. “This will be implemented so that people trust the process of fairness and transparency,” she added. The commission’s office bearers will receive endorsement from President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
According to the draft proposal, the commission will function for 18 months, with the potential for extensions determined by President Ratu Wiliame. The commission will also appoint specialized staff, including translators and counselors, who will engage with various communities across the country to promote reconciliation and gather insights.
The commission is set to tackle issues of abuse and violence stemming from historical events that have left lasting trauma on certain populations, including the impacts of the coups in 1987 and 2000 that resulted in significant harm to the Indo-Fijian community. Ruben Carranza, a senior expert from the International Centre for Transitional Justice based in New York City, affirmed that the commission aims to address these past grievances and work towards preventing future occurrences of similar incidents.