The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) plans to appoint an impartial overseas expert as its chairperson, while committee members will be chosen for their non-political affiliations. Sashi Kiran, the chairperson of the FTRC steering committee, outlined this strategy in response to inquiries about maintaining neutrality in public interest cases.
The steering committee is currently organizing public consultations throughout the country to collect input that will be incorporated into the draft bill for parliamentary approval. Kiran noted that the proposal for a neutral chair is incorporated in this draft bill, aiming for independence from local political influences.
During a recent public consultation in Labasa, some attendees raised concerns that a local chair could introduce bias in the commission’s handling of cases. To alleviate these concerns, participants recommended appointing an expert in transitional justice, such as Ruben Carranza, as the chairperson. Other attendees, including Fiji Labour Party politician Surendra Lal, stressed the importance of having highly qualified committee members.
Kiran acknowledged these suggestions and emphasized that, alongside the chairperson, all four local committee members must also be free of political ties. This is intended to foster public trust in the fairness and transparency of the process. The commission’s office bearers will receive endorsement from President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
According to the proposed framework, the commission will operate for 18 months, after which the President will have the authority to decide on any possible extensions. The commission will also appoint specialized staff, including translators and counselors, who will travel to various locations across the country to facilitate reconciliation efforts and gather testimonies.
The commission’s mission involves addressing instances of abuse and violence linked to historical events that have caused trauma for certain populations, particularly the Indo-Fijian community during the coups of 1987 and 2000, which resulted in substantial property damage and violence. Senior expert Ruben Carranza from the International Centre for Transitional Justice in New York City highlighted that the commission seeks to resolve these issues and work towards preventing similar occurrences in the future.