FORMER coup convict Jo Nata has called on Fijians to move beyond anger and retribution over the country’s history of coups while insisting that those protected by constitutional immunity still have a duty to tell the truth.
In a testimony before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Mr Nata said too many people remained consumed by bitterness over past political upheavals.
“People are still baying for blood, pointing fingers, being nasty, unkind and basically unforgiving,” Mr Nata said.
He said there remained strong feelings toward political figures associated with Fiji’s coups, including Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and former PM Voreqe Bainimarama, as well as former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
“People still want Sitiveni Rabuka to go to prison. People have unkind views of Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum,” he said.
Despite his own imprisonment for his role in the events of 2000, Mr Nata said he did not wish prison on those involved in coups, although he drew a distinction where allegations involved abuse of office or illegal gain.
“I do not desire that any of them go to prison for coups they were involved in.
“If it is abuse of power or abuse of office or illegal gain, then it is another matter.”
Mr Nata said the real victims of imprisonment are often families and children.
“The family is the one that suffers most. I would not wish it, even upon my enemies.
“I saw tears and anguish of my girls. I saw on TV the tears and anguish of Laisenia Qarase’s grandchildren. I could only imagine the pain in the grandchildren of Bainimarama and their grandmother.”
Reflecting on his years in prison, Mr Nata said investigators had approached him seeking information on several prominent figures, but he declined to co-operate out of a lack of malice.
“I told them I cannot help them. I had no malice against them.”
Yet while advocating forgiveness, Mr Nata argued that accountability through truth-telling remains essential for reconciliation.
“Those who escaped prison terms owe it to the people of Fiji, the least they should do is to co-operate and give evidence to the Commission.
“Those that are covered by constitutional immunity should testify. They cannot have their cake and eat it too.”
