Truth and Reconciliation Commission – need to maintain integrity of process
4 Feb, 2025
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) is alarmed that the much-anticipated Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) may already be compromising its integrity and independence; the very principles upon which a successful TRC is founded. The Coalition refers to the appointment process of the TR Commissioners, which raises serious questions about the Government’s commitment to transparency and processes.
“The manner of the process of appointing TR Commissioners seems to underscore Governments total lack of consideration for transparency and process as they continue to appoint whoever they please onto or into important roles and positions”, said NGOCHR.
“We see that there is no transparency in the appointment process. The legislation states the President appoints the Commissioners and the Chairperson but the process of selection and appointment is missing. This sets a bad precedent already where there is no or limited accountability and transparency of what should be a people’s process”, NGOCHR continues.
We also refer to the legislation that states a commissioner “is a person of integrity and credibility who is impartial in the performance of the Commission’s functions and who receives the confidence of the people of Fiji”. The TRC is supposed to be a people’s process that reflects the voices, struggles, and lived realities of those impacted by Fiji’s history of conflict and division.
“We are appalled that despite the caliber of Fiji nationals in-country and overseas, the Government has chosen to endorse/appoint the European Union’s nomination, an expatriate with little to no lived experience in Fiji to not only be part of the Commission but lead as its Chair. This practice itself is neo-colonial and compromises the integrity of the process. Decolonization should be a key component of the process not further perpetuating colonialism.
The Coalition wishes to remind the Government that during the consultations, a key finding was the need for TRC ownership by local people and away from the Government.
Fiji has had past attempts at national reconciliation undermined by a lack of transparency and public trust.
“Without a genuine commitment to local leadership and public participation, the TRC risks becoming another exercise in political tokenism rather than a transformative process of healing and justice”.
Ends
About the NGOCHR
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights is a coalition of civil society organisations that works towards a Fiji that respects and protects human rights and fundamental freedoms within the framework of the rule of law.
Members of the NGOCHR include the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF), femLINKPacific, Social Empowerment and Education Program (SEEP) and DIVA for Equality Fiji (DIVA). Pacific Network on Globalisation is an observer (PANG).
FWCC Coordinator Shamima Ali is the present Chair of the NGOCHR.