The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) plans to appoint a neutral expert from abroad as its chairperson, with committee members chosen for their non-political backgrounds. Sashi Kiran, the chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, shared this strategy while addressing concerns about maintaining impartiality in evaluating cases of public interest.
The steering committee is currently engaging in public consultations nationwide to gather input that may shape the draft bill for parliamentary approval. “The neutral appointment is included in the draft bill, proposing an independent chair from overseas,” Ms. Kiran stated.
She emphasized that the commission will function independently, with decisions made solely by the committee without any external influence. During a recent public consultation in Labasa, attendees expressed worries that choosing a local chair could introduce potential bias in case evaluations. Some participants recommended appointing a qualified transitional justice expert, such as Ruben Carranza, for the role.
Participants, including Fiji Labour Party politician Surendra Lal, highlighted the importance of having highly competent individuals within the commission. Ms. Kiran acknowledged these observations, noting that besides the chairperson, the four local commissioners must also have no political ties. “This measures will ensure public trust in the fairness and transparency of the process,” she said.
The President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, will endorse the appointment of the commission’s officials. According to the draft proposal, the commission is set to operate for 18 months, with the President determining any potential extensions.
Additionally, specialized staff including translators, counselors, and support personnel will be recruited. Ms. Kiran indicated that these staff members will visit various locations to facilitate reconciliation efforts and collect cases and opinions from the public.
The commission aims to address issues of abuse and violence stemming from past events that have caused trauma to certain communities, including the impacts of the 1987 and 2000 coups, during which the Indo-Fijian community experienced significant property loss, violence, and mistreatment. Senior expert Ruben Carranza from the International Centre for Transitional Justice in New York noted that the commission aspires to resolve these issues and work towards averting similar occurrences in the future.