Many Fijians born before 2006 have experienced at least one coup, impacting the nation’s history and exacerbating tensions between its largest racial groups. In response, the Coalition Government is embarking on a mission to address these historical grievances and initiate difficult conversations about the country’s present and future.
The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) may seem like an unfamiliar concept to many, with some questioning its necessity. However, the establishment of such a commission has been a common practice in other nations. This week marked the beginning of nationwide consultations regarding the draft legal framework for the TRC, with an emphasis on ensuring that it reflects Fiji’s unique context.
Ruben Carranza, a senior expert from the International Center for Transitional Justice, is actively involved in these consultations. With extensive experience in transitional justice in various countries, he highlights the importance of creating a TRC tailored to Fiji’s specific historical and social landscape.
Mr. Carranza clarified that the TRC will not serve as a court and will lack prosecutorial powers. Instead, it will create a safe environment for individuals, including both victims and perpetrators, to share their experiences, specifically focusing on the upheavals from 1987 onward.
He pointed out that litigation is often not the sole option for addressing grievances. He emphasized that the sheer number of potential cases, spanning decades, would overwhelm any court system, making it impractical to rely solely on legal proceedings.
Drawing from his experiences in regions such as East Timor, where violence erupted following a push for independence, Mr. Carranza outlined how the TRC aims to acknowledge the voices of those impacted by historical injustices.
Any truth commission should be designed with the unique political and social dynamics of the country in mind. Mr. Carranza clarified that a truth commission, while officially established by the state, is fundamentally different from a court. Its primary function is to listen, recognize, and document the experiences of victims of human rights violations, rather than to determine guilt or punishment.
He cited examples from countries like Sri Lanka, where enforced disappearances during the civil war required urgent attention. According to him, while there are various structures for truth commissions, their core purpose remains the same: to listen and acknowledge rather than to assign blame.
Mr. Carranza stressed the essential role of media in disseminating the findings and objectives of the TRC, urging public participation in this process. Once it is established, the TRC will function for 18 months and is expected to present its findings to facilitate healing within the community.
He emphasized the importance of public involvement, stating that consultations could take many forms, including virtual engagement through social media platforms. Ensuring diverse modes of participation will be crucial as the nation seeks to move forward from its past.