The newly appointed Chair of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Mr Joaquim Da Fonseca, was formally sworn into office this morning at State House, before the President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
Mr Da Fonseca is a distinguished diplomat and peace-builder with more than 20 years of experience in reconciliation, transitional justice and human rights in post-conflict and transitional societies.
He has played a central role in Timor-Leste’s reconciliation and justice processes since 1999, beginning with early truth and reconciliation initiatives under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), and later helping shape national mechanisms that continue to guide the country’s healing and unity.
His background includes senior diplomatic postings as Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.
His work has consistently bridged civil society, government and multilateral partners to advance justice, reconciliation and social cohesion.
Prior to his appointment, Mr Da Fonseca served as Coordinator and Senior Adviser at the National Commission for Reconciliation among Timorese, where he helped design a new national reconciliation mechanism addressing internal conflict between 1974 and 1999, building on the legacy of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR).
He has also served as Senior Adviser for Human Rights and Civil Society in the Office of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.
The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission operates independently, with the Coalition Government committing to ensure it is adequately resourced to carry out its work.
Under the Truth and Reconciliation Act passed in December 2024, the Commission is mandated to facilitate truth-telling related to political upheavals arising from the coup periods since 1987, and to promote healing, closure and national reconciliation for survivors of those events.
