SURVIVING decades of political upheaval in Fiji required resilience, reflection and forgiveness, a senior legal expert told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
“The coups tested my resilience in a way that I could never have imagined,” former attorney general Graham Leung told the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) during a hearing in Suva on February 23.
“Looking back over the last 30 years I am amazed that I survived the rollercoaster,” he said.
“Even more surprising for me was the people of Fiji, who did their best to carry on and to pick up the pieces.
For Mr Leung, coming forward was about preserving history.
“It’s important for the future, for posterity, for Fiji to keep an historical record of the coups so that the next generation learn what happened, what we did wrong, so they don’t repeat the mistakes we made.”
He described reconciliation as a human, not legal, process.
“Reconciliation is not something that can be forced or imposed on anyone by Parliament passing a law.
“It must come from the heart and be volunteered. It is about coming to terms with something bad that has happened to you, or someone close to you, but recognising that if you don’t let go, it can harm you. My own view is that forgiveness is an integral part of reconciliation.
“How can you reconcile with someone if you still hate them and have unforgiveness in your heart?”
Through his testimony, Mr Leung hopes Fiji will learn, heal, and build a stronger future.
