Reconciliation must be open and fearless: Rabuka

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says national reconciliation must be an open process where people can confess without fear.

Speaking at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearing on Friday, Mr Rabuka said healing required objective reflection rather than forced arrangements.

"It cannot be an arranged one. People can come and make their confessions without fear of any follow-up, opening up new old wounds," he said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged concerns about reopening past trauma from the 1987 coup.

"Old wounds, new wounds, they hurt. It's up to people to heal. The only way to heal is to objectively look at what has happened to ourselves," Mr Rabuka said.

He said individuals must decide whether to accept apologies or continue carrying offence against others.

Mr Rabuka called for a national curriculum teaching Fiji's full history and economic policies addressing coup-related disparities.

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