Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the newly established Truth and Reconciliation Commission is an opportunity for people to tell their story, hear the other side of the story, and either forgive or not forgive.
Rabuka, leader of Fiji’s first coup in 1987, says the country cannot avoid treating the hurt that exists, and he intends to be the first person to appear in front of the Commission.
“We are just prolonging the pain, it is a cost we have to commit ourselves to,” Rabuka said after the swearing in of the 5 members of the Commission today.
The aim of the Commission is to facilitate truth telling regarding the political upheavals since the coups of 1987, 2000 and 2006 and to promote closure and healing for the survivors of these events.
Rabuka acknowledged that the Commission hearings could open old wounds but it was necessary to provide the space for people to open up and heal.
“If we don’t face those, we are not really treating the hurt that is in Fiji. It’s like a clinical operation, you have to cut deeper to cut out the diseased part of the body,” he said.
The Commission has the power to summon and it will be interesting to see if it will summon former coup leaders Vorege Bainimarama and George Speight. Rabuka said the Commission would not be a waste of time and resources even if the other two coup leaders did not turn up.
“It will not be pointless. They can decide whether to cooperate or not to cooperate, but it will not change the outcome of the Commission. The Commission can come up and say this is what we have found from those who came forward to tell us their stories. It is up to the nation to see both sides of the issue.”
“In the end, the nation decides whether we want to be reconciled or not. Do we move ahead and have a political battle?”
The Commission is being chaired by Dr Marcus Brand with the four other Commissioners made up of former High Court judge Justice Sekove Naqiolevu, retired Fiji Airways pilot Captain Rajendra Dass, gender specialist and leadership coach Ana Laqeretabua and human rights adviser and communications specialist Rachna Nath.
Photo: Fiji Government
