Sakiusa Tubuna, the Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, emphasized that the primary goal of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is to foster healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, and trust, thereby promoting social cohesion and unity within the nation.
The Commission, led by Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, and supported by committee member Tubuna, held consultations with political parties in Suva yesterday. With Cabinet’s endorsement, the committee is tasked with overseeing the development of the legal framework for the TRC.
Tubuna stated that the essence of establishing the TRC is to assist those who have faced violations in achieving healing and closure through authentic reconciliation with perpetrators. Kiran added that the initiative aims to heal and provide answers regarding past traumas to prevent future generations from repeating errors.
The consultations revealed a range of issues, including the need for clear legal definitions within the draft framework to ensure justice and accountability. Participants also expressed concerns about the credibility of the TRC’s process in building trust and ensuring transparency, particularly for efforts aimed at healing historical grievances. The discussions highlighted the importance of the Commission’s independence from the government, ensuring that it operates without bias and addresses all voices fairly, pursuing justice equitably.
Additionally, senior members of media organizations participated in a consultation regarding the draft legal framework for the Commission, offering their perspectives on the proposed provisions.