The Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna, emphasized that the primary goal of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is to encourage healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, and trust to enhance 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 discussions with political parties in Suva yesterday. Following Cabinet approval, the committee aims to oversee the development of the legal framework for the TRC.
Tubuna stated, “The essence of establishing the TRC is to aid those who have suffered violations in achieving healing and closure through genuine reconciliation with the offenders.” Kiran added that the initiative seeks to provide closure and answers regarding past events to prevent future generations from repeating the same errors.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Kiran remarked that different stakeholders bring up various traumas and conflicts during discussions. Among the critical issues raised during the consultations were the legal definitions within the draft and the necessity for a fair understanding to guarantee justice and accountability.
Concerns were also voiced regarding the credibility of the TRC process in fostering trust and ensuring transparency, particularly in efforts to heal historical grievances. Discussions highlighted the importance of the Commission’s independence from the Government, stressing the need for it to execute its mandate impartially, ensuring that every voice is heard and justice is fairly pursued.
Additionally, senior members of media organizations participated in a consultation regarding the draft of the legal framework for establishing the Commission, where they shared their perspectives on the proposed provisions.