Fiji’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will address grievances related to the 1987 coup.
TRC steering committee chair and Assistant Minister for Women Sashi Kiran confirmed the commission would be established to investigate and address human rights violations since 1987.
“We are working on drafting a piece of legislation to take back to Parliament,” Ms Kiran said.
“Once the Bill is passed by the Cabinet and subsequently by Parliament, the President will appoint the commission.”
She said the commission would operate independently from the Government, similar to other established commissions such as the Constitutional Officers Commission (COC).
Ms Kiran said the steering committee’s role would conclude with the establishment of the commission, which would then be empowered to develop its own processes for collecting testimonies and facilitating healing and reconciliation.
“The commission’s mandate will include investigating human rights violations that have occurred from 1987 up to the present.
“The establishment of the commission will represent a significant step towards addressing and reconciling Fiji’s past political and human rights issues.”
