The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) plans to appoint a neutral overseas expert as its chairperson, with committee members chosen for their lack of political ties. Sashi Kiran, the chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, discussed these plans when asked how neutrality will be maintained in evaluating public interest cases.
Currently, the steering committee is holding public consultations nationwide to gather input that will inform the draft bill for parliamentary approval. Kiran noted that the draft bill includes the proposal for an independent overseas chairperson to ensure impartiality.
She emphasized that the commission will operate independently, with all decisions made by the committee free from external influence. During a public consultation in Labasa, attendees expressed fears that appointing a local chairperson might introduce bias in the handling of cases. To mitigate this, some participants recommended appointing a qualified expert, like Transitional Justice specialist Ruben Carranza, as the chair.
Fiji Labour Party politician Surendra Lal and several other attendees stressed the importance of having highly qualified individuals on the commission. Kiran acknowledged these concerns and mentioned that the four local committee members must also have no political affiliations, reinforcing the commitment to fairness and transparency in the process.
The commission’s leadership appointments will require endorsement from President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. As outlined in the draft proposal, the commission is set to function for 18 months, with the President making decisions regarding potential extensions.
Additional staff, including translators, counselors, and support personnel, will be appointed to aid in reconciliation efforts around the country. Kiran explained that these staff members would visit various centers to conduct outreach, gather cases, and solicit opinions from the public.
The commission is tasked with addressing issues of abuse and violence stemming from past events that have deeply affected certain community segments, particularly concerning the repercussions of the 1987 and 2000 coups, during which the Indo-Fijian community experienced significant trauma and loss. Ruben Carranza from the International Centre for Transitional Justice in New York City observed that the commission’s goal is to resolve these historical grievances and help prevent similar occurrences in the future.