[Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji / Facebook]

The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill 2024 was passed in Parliament last night after a robust debate.

While moving his motion to debate the bill, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted that the central purpose of the commission will be aimed at promoting civil reconciliation and forgiveness among the perpetrators and victims of various coups and political persecution.

Rabuka said he hoped that many who have suffered human rights violations will find healing and closure.

“In Section 3, the purpose of the bill states that it is to promote social cohesion through healing and reconciliation. Secondly, it is to facilitate open and free engagement in truth-telling regarding the political upheavals during the coup periods and to promote closure and healing for the survivors of those events.”

[Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji / Facebook]

Opposition Leader Inia Seruiratu opposed the bill, saying this was not an ordinary bill but a special one, given Fiji’s history, the suffering people endured and called on government to tread carefully.

Seruiratu added that the involvement of every stakeholder and, most importantly, political parties, was critical in this process, as history has proven that politics has been the root cause of all upheavals in Fiji.

He pointed out the changes made to section 7 of the bill regarding the powers vested in the Commission, which were changed without prior consultation, which questioned the credibility of the bill.

The opposition leader reiterated that there could be no reconciliation if the truth was still suppressed.

“Let’s find the politicians who were behind these soldiers because of the objectives of revolutions. And we must do this truth and reconciliation well, Mr. Speaker, sir, because we need to identify the politicians. They must come to the truth-telling. We must identify the business people who supported the coup perpetrators or coup instigators.”

Meanwhile, Independent Member and leader of the Block of 9, Ioane Naivalurua, said that the Block of 9 supported the bill, as it was a step and opportunity for a reset of our national conscious to look at what we can achieve together and pave the way for our future.

The bill was passed and will be known as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act of 2024.

[Source: Parliament of the Republic of Fiji / Facebook]