Sakiusa Tubuna, the Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted that the primary goal of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is to facilitate healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, and trust, ultimately promoting social cohesion and unity within the nation.
The commission, led by Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, Sashi Kiran, with Tubuna serving as a committee member, held consultations with political parties in Suva yesterday. Following Cabinet endorsement, the committee aims to guide the development of a legal framework for the TRC.
Tubuna emphasized the importance of the TRC in assisting victims of violations in their journey toward healing and closure through sincere reconciliation with their perpetrators. Kiran added that the initiative seeks to provide closure and answers regarding past issues, with the intent to prevent future generations from repeating historical mistakes.
Kiran acknowledged the complexity of the discussions, noting that various stakeholders shared differing experiences of trauma and conflict. Key concerns raised during the consultations included the legal definitions outlined in the draft, emphasizing the need to ensure fairness and accountability.
Questions were also raised regarding the credibility of the TRC process in establishing trust and transparency, especially in addressing historical grievances. There was significant discourse on the necessity for the TRC to operate independently from the government, allowing it to fulfill its mandate impartially while ensuring that all voices are heard and justice is pursued fairly.
Additionally, senior members from media organizations participated in a morning consultation focused on the draft legal framework for the Commission, contributing their perspectives on the proposed provisions.