Parliament’s initiative to create the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will facilitate an opportunity for both victims and perpetrators to share their experiences.
During the launch of former Parliamentarian Harish Sharma’s memoir in Suva on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad emphasized the significance of the TRC in examining the nation’s past upheavals, which will aid in bringing a permanent resolution to some of Fiji’s darker historical moments.
Professor Prasad noted that Mr. Sharma’s memoirs encapsulate events from 1987 and beyond. He added, “Much has been done, and much will continue to be done. The path ahead will not be simple, but we have moved from a past filled with peril to a future rich with freedom, hope, and potential.”
Additionally, Professor Prasad expressed that the Coalition Government is determined not to replicate past governance styles in Fiji.
“We have liberated Fiji from restrictions on media, the suppression of free speech, and the rights of workers. This newfound freedom has allowed individuals to vocally criticize and accuse the Coalition Government of various things, many of which are baseless, defamatory, and at times amusing. However, this does not mean that the Government will restrict freedoms.”
He also highlighted that the Coalition is the only post-election government to endure for over a year following a transition from one administration to another in Fiji’s 54-year independent history.