International Center for Transitional Justice senior expert Ruben Carranza has stated that it is not too late for Fiji to form its Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Mr. Carranza is involved in a team conducting public consultations across the country focused on a draft legal framework for the commission.
In an interview, Mr. Carranza emphasized that the timing for establishing such a commission is flexible; it can occur at any time. He noted that in his extensive experience with post-conflict and post-dictatorship nations, truth commissions have sometimes been established many years after significant events, or even to address issues from centuries ago.
He explained that persistent issues often compel the creation of truth commissions as traditional justice and accountability systems may not adequately handle historical legacies. “The right time is when you actually do it,” he said, underscoring that outcomes of truth commissions can be unpredictable, which highlights the importance of public consultations.
These consultations aim to inform the community about the commission’s design and encourage public participation in shaping it. The next consultation session is scheduled to be held today at the Fiji Sugarcane Growers Hall in Lautoka from 9 AM to 12 noon.