Today marked the commencement of consultations aimed at establishing the legal framework for the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The meeting was chaired by Sashi Kiran, the Assistant Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection, who is also leading the commission’s steering committee.
In her opening address, Kiran explained the background that led to these consultations, revealing that a steering committee was formed by the Cabinet after Parliament approved a motion for the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in September last year.
She acknowledged that it has taken time to bring the discussion into the public eye, addressing concerns regarding the perceived lack of progress and communication.
Kiran noted that over the past year, a series of private meetings had been held with individuals and small groups, which were not publicized in media or on social platforms due to their confidential nature. The purpose of these discussions was to gauge public sentiment and gather input to shape the initiative moving forward.
During her address, Kiran presented insights from these interactions, highlighting generational differences in attitudes towards the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. She observed that younger individuals, particularly those under the age of thirty-five to forty, often express indifference towards the commission and prefer reallocating its funding towards health and other issues. In contrast, older participants, particularly those over fifty and those personally affected by past traumas, conveyed feelings of suffering and anxiety regarding the process.
Kiran emphasized that the commission’s framework is being crafted with careful consideration, informed by universal principles while remaining sensitive to local contexts, and with the guidance of a UN expert.
The overarching aim is to ensure inclusivity, inviting a wide range of perspectives to develop a framework that addresses the needs of diverse societal segments, with a focus on recovery and resolution.
Plans are in place to conduct nationwide consultations, which will extend to the Western and Northern Divisions, as well as engage with legal communities and political groups later this week. Submissions for these consultations are welcomed.