Truth and Reconciliation Commission urges Lau survivors and witnesses to come forward

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has called on the people of Lau to support its work by encouraging survivors, witnesses and others with relevant knowledge to come forward and share their experiences.

Addressing the Lau Provincial Council meeting at the Yatu Lau Conference Centre in Suva yesterday, TRC commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu said the commission also needed the province's support in raising awareness and strengthening community engagement.

"We invite the provincial council, all of you please to support awareness in your villages and with the police," Mr Naqiolevu said.

He said the commission was seeking the province's assistance in identifying appropriate community protectors and facilitating future community engagement sessions where appropriate.

Mr Naqiolevu encouraged survivors, witnesses and people with relevant knowledge to share their experiences and information with the commission.

He also invited the Lau Provincial Council to make an institutional submission to the commission.

"Apart from the survivors making their own story or giving us their own story of what the impact had on their lives, we require your assistance, the province, to please if you wish to make a submission on behalf of the province, we'd gladly receive that."

He said the commission hoped the province would assist in the process.

Mr Naqiolevu encouraged the people of Lau to take part in the journey towards justice, reminding them that reconciliation begins with acknowledging the truth and that every voice has value in building a peaceful and united Fiji.