FTRC vows to keep doors open for survivors despite no-shows

The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC) will continue providing a safe space for survivors.

This despite no families appearing at Tuesday’s scheduled public hearing at the Suva Civic Centre.

“We will keep providing space, because that’s the mandate of the commission,” FTRC Commissioner Ana Laqeretabua said when asked what would happen if no one appeared.

“To provide a safe space for the purposes of truth and reconciliation. So, we will continue to do what we’ve been mandated to do.”

The Commission had reached out to 10 families who indicated readiness for public hearings, with another family scheduled for today.

Ms Laqeretabua acknowledged the difficulty survivors face in coming forward, noting the nation is still carrying significant trauma from the 1987, 2000, and 2006 political upheavals.

“It’s not an easy thing to come and sit before three strangers [Commissioners] and tell people what you've been through and how it’s impacted you as individuals, but also as a family,” she said.

The Commission operates without powers to summon witnesses under the FTRC Act 2024, relying purely on voluntary participation.

Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu stressed the need to avoid re-traumatising survivors.

“A lot of these people have been traumatised through the upheaval,” Mr Naqiolevu said.

“What we need to be careful about is that we don’t re-traumatise them.”

The Commission has established a process where survivors make contact, submit their story, provide a formal statement, and then participate in hearings when ready.

Counselling support is available for those who come forward.

Ms Laqeretabua encouraged public participation, stressing the Commission was established to hear people’s stories and promote healing.

“This space has been created to hear the voices of the people,” she said.

The Commission plans to conduct hearings nationwide, with visits to the Northern Division scheduled for next week.

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