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Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission held its first consultation yesterday, chaired by Assistant Minister for Women’s Affairs Sashi Kiran.
The consultations are aimed at developing the legal framework and foundation for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Fiji.
Parliament passed a bill in September 2023 to establish a truth and reconciliation commission, with the cabinet forming a steering committee with five appointed members.
Kiran said there were concerns about silence on their part and questioned whether any progress had been made, acknowledging that it would take some time to bring this discussion into the public domain.
“Over the past year we have met with some of you individually and in small groups. These meetings have taken place in secure locations so they are not seen on social media or in the news. The focus of these conversations has been to listen to people’s feelings and understand the direction we should take, which is why it has taken time to get to this stage.”
The Assistant Minister noted that the two sides had insightful exchanges from different perspectives.
“The younger generation, especially those below 35 to 40 years old, tend not to be interested in the TRC. Many of them suggest diverting funds to health or other programs instead of pursuing the initiative. On the other hand, older people (over 50, 60 and 70 years old) and families who have been affected in some way express pain, trauma and fear about the process,” said Kiran.
Kiran stressed that they had been very careful in developing this framework, first based on global principles and then taking into account local circumstances, with the support of UN advisers to help structure the work.
“Our goal is to be as comprehensive as possible and make sure we hear as many voices as possible so that the framework serves all sectors of society. The main goal is healing and closure.”
However, a call for submissions from the legal profession and political parties will be held later this week, with plans to organise a national consultation covering the western and northern regions.
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