Cabinet has endorsed the establishment of a Steering Committee to oversee the setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and it is envisaged that the Bill to establish the commission will be considered by Cabinet later this year, before it is tabled in Parliament.
Once enacted, it is anticipated that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is then appointed to carry out its work in 2026.
Cabinet says the Steering Committee’s objective is to oversee the formulation of the legal, governance and financial framework for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Steering Committee will be chaired by Assistant Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran, and other members include Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Sakiusa Tubuna, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua, Assistant Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ratu Isikeli Tuiwailevu and Assistant Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Jovesa Vocea.
The Chair of the Committee will report directly to the Prime Minister.
The Committee will have to provide consistent leadership and oversight towards the establishment of the commission; ensure appropriate provisioning for staffing and funding of the commission; ensure a proper Governance and Reporting Framework for accountability in the establishment and operations of the commission; and oversee the preparation of a Policy framework and drafting instructions for a law to establish the commission.
