THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission will wrap up work by February 2027.
But, Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu said they could always ask for an extension, which is allowed under the Commission Act.
“We hand in our report and recommendations to the President of Fiji which will also include the work done but hopefully will never end, hopefully this work will just continue and the nation will pick it up and just evolve,” he said.
Commissioner Rachna Nath said there have been 40 TRCs in the world which have had a mandate of three to five years.
“So we’ve had two years to pull out miracles of a hat and I think our team have worked incredibly hard to set up processes and get us ready.
“Of course, there will always be a need for more time but we will do what we can and that’s what we’ve been doing.
“We’re also given ability if we feel we need to continue, we can do so under our Act. And we’re allowed to go for a whole year if we need to. So, if we feel after we’ve done all this work that we need more time, we’ll certainly seek it.”
No one considered a perpetrator, commission says
PRIME Minister Sitiveni Rabuka appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a survivor and not as perpetrator of a past political upheaval.
Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu said Mr Rabuka was also a victim as his allowances as former prime minister were removed following the 2006 coup and he too was arrested during the reign of the last government.
At a media conference yesterday, Mr Naqiolevu clarified that no one was considered a perpetrator when they appeared before the commission.
“They are all survivors and witnesses of the political upheaval,” he said.
“Don’t forget the Prime Minister is also a survivor. He may be a perpetrator, but he’s also a survivor.
“Mr Rabuka told the truth when he read what transpired which affected his family.
He explained in his evidence the terrible time, both he and his family, his wife, his daughters, were all ridiculed and suffered during that period.”
Commissioner Ana Laqeretabua said it was important to note the impact every survivor shared before the commission.
“And that’s what we’re supposed to be doing, hearing what impact it had on individual survivors, on people at that time.
“I think it’s also important to realise that not one single hearing is the definition of what truth-telling is, as part of our process.
“And not one person’s testimony diminishes others that we’ve heard. So, we recognise that people will share what they’re comfortable with, and how they are dealing with it, the past and things that have happened.”
Commission admits limits on preventing political crises
THE Truth and Reconciliation Commission cannot prevent or guarantee another political upheaval from happening in the future.
Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu said: “I don’t think you can guarantee that.”
“There will always be politicians,” he said.
“There’s always people who want to disrupt the system.
It happens all over the world, not only in Fiji. I’ve been in the Solomons, Papua New Guinea and the political system there is absolutely tremendous.
“It’s changing, you know.
So, you’re not going to be able to guarantee that.”
Mr Naqiolevu said the commission had received calls from the public asking them to include in the 2013 Constitution measures prohibiting another coup in the country.
“We’ve even had callers on the phone that said, ‘can you put in the Constitution that there’ll be no more coups?’ How can we do that? “You can’t, at the end of the day.”
“It’s also about bringing people together, bringing communities that have been hurting together.”
Commissioner Rachna Nath said the process was the beginning of courageous, deep and important conversations that need to start.
“And the TRC is just one cog in the system, one part of that process, so, we recognise that we won’t be able to solve all of Fiji’s problems.
“That’s not why we’re here, but we’re here to begin the process and work alongside others who are already doing peace-building and reconciliation work in our community.”
New commissioner identified
A NEW commissioner for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been identified.
Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu said the announcement will be made by the President, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
“We’re awaiting announcement by the Office of the President in terms of the new chair,” he said.
“I believe the name is before him. He’s just going to make an announcement, hopefully soon.”
Mr Naqiolevu refused to comment further on the issue.
