FAQs
Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions page for the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
Key Questions
Understanding the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC)
What is the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and what role does it play in the country’s national development?
We are an independent body established to support truth-telling, reconciliation, and national healing. Our mandate is to examine the impact of Fiji’s past political upheavals, with particular focus on the physical and emotional harm experienced by individuals, the loss of life and property, and the broader patterns of systemic injustice.
By providing a safe and inclusive platform, we honor the lived experiences of survivors, ensuring their voices are heard, and acknowledged. This process is not about retribution, but about recognition, healing, and preventing the recurrence of past divisions.
The core of our work is guided by a commitment to fostering unity and social cohesion. It envisions a Fiji where all citizens feel safe, equal, respected, and empowered to thrive. Through reconciliation, we aim to help build a stronger, more just, and peaceful nation for generations to come.
By providing a safe and inclusive platform, we honor the lived experiences of survivors, ensuring their voices are heard, and acknowledged. This process is not about retribution, but about recognition, healing, and preventing the recurrence of past divisions.
The core of our work is guided by a commitment to fostering unity and social cohesion. It envisions a Fiji where all citizens feel safe, equal, respected, and empowered to thrive. Through reconciliation, we aim to help build a stronger, more just, and peaceful nation for generations to come.
What specific historical periods or events will the Commission examine as part of its mandate?
As part of our mandate, we will examine the major political upheavals that occurred in 1987, 2000, and 2006. These events mark critical turning points in Fiji’s history and have had deep and lasting impacts on individuals, families, and communities. We will explore the root causes of these coups, the grievances that remain unresolved, and the broader consequences they have had on national unity and social cohesion. This work is essential to understanding how these moments have shaped the nation and to guiding Fiji’s path toward healing and lasting peace.
How does the Commission plan to engage with members of the public and communities across Fiji during its work?
We are committed to inclusive national engagement. We will hold private and public hearings, community dialogues, and outreach sessions in both urban and rural areas.
We will also partner with local leaders, civil society groups, and faith-based organisations to ensure broad participation.
The Commission will strive for public hearings with sufficient notice.
However, it may conduct in-camera proceedings to protect the security and concerns of survivors and witnesses.
We will also partner with local leaders, civil society groups, and faith-based organisations to ensure broad participation.
The Commission will strive for public hearings with sufficient notice.
However, it may conduct in-camera proceedings to protect the security and concerns of survivors and witnesses.
What measures are in place to ensure that participation in the Commission’s processes is safe, respectful, and inclusive?
We place the voices of survivors and witnesses at the centre of our work. Their lived experiences are vital to fostering accountability, encouraging healing, and building a more united and compassionate society. We provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive space where individuals can share their stories without fear, and where those stories are honoured and heard.
By amplifying these voices, we aim to deepen national understanding and reinforce the collective commitment to peace and reconciliation. At the same time, we recognise that true unity begins within our communities, in our homes, schools, and workplaces. This is why community involvement is essential to the process, and we encourage every Fijian to take part in building a future rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.
By amplifying these voices, we aim to deepen national understanding and reinforce the collective commitment to peace and reconciliation. At the same time, we recognise that true unity begins within our communities, in our homes, schools, and workplaces. This is why community involvement is essential to the process, and we encourage every Fijian to take part in building a future rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility.
What approach will the Commission take to documenting and preserving personal testimonies and collective experiences?
We will carefully record, archive, and protect all testimonies with the utmost respect and responsibility. These accounts will form part of the historical record, and with consent, may be included in our final report, exhibitions, or memorial efforts to ensure future generations understand and learn from the past.
How does the Commission ensure cultural sensitivity when working with Fiji’s diverse ethnic and religious communities?
We recognise that reconciliation is a shared national responsibility that must reflect the voices and values of all Fijians. To ensure cultural sensitivity, we will actively engage with a wide range of stakeholders including political leaders, traditional authorities, faith-based groups, civil society, and community representatives from across the country’s diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.
These partnerships help guide our approach to truth-telling in ways that are respectful, inclusive, and grounded in local contexts. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, we work to ensure that the reconciliation process not only honours different cultural traditions and beliefs but also contributes to meaningful policy reform, long-term stability, and inclusive national development. We also welcome the support of international partners and human rights advocates in strengthening these efforts across all communities in Fiji.
These partnerships help guide our approach to truth-telling in ways that are respectful, inclusive, and grounded in local contexts. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, we work to ensure that the reconciliation process not only honours different cultural traditions and beliefs but also contributes to meaningful policy reform, long-term stability, and inclusive national development. We also welcome the support of international partners and human rights advocates in strengthening these efforts across all communities in Fiji.
What support will the Commission offer to survivors and witnesses?
The Commission will provide support to survivors before, during and after sharing their stories and experiences, which may include psychological and emotional support, access to counseling, medical support as well as protective measures and confidential arrangements as needed.
How can I book an appointment or make a submission?
Plan Your Visit – Schedule an Appointment in Advance
To ensure a respectful, efficient, and well-supported experience for all members of the public engaging with the Commission, we strongly encourage visitors to schedule an appointment in advance. Doing so allows our team to prepare accordingly and ensures that your time with us is both meaningful and productive.
Why Book Ahead?
• Reduced Wait Times: Scheduling in advance helps minimise delays and enables us to allocate adequate time and attention to each visitor.
• Personalised Support: Understanding the purpose of the visit in advance enables visitors to provide focused, considerate, and effective assistance.
• Flexible Scheduling: Booking ahead allows visitors to choose a time that best suits their needs and commitments.
• Enhanced Experience: A well-organised schedule enables the Commission to uphold the dignity of the process and serve visitors with the care and attention they deserve.
How to book:
To schedule your visit, please:
• Use the booking form on our official website
• Call 9909003, or
• Email us at info@fijitrc.org.
Contact forms are also available at Post Fiji outlets, and online.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth, respectful, and productive engagement with the Commission.
To ensure a respectful, efficient, and well-supported experience for all members of the public engaging with the Commission, we strongly encourage visitors to schedule an appointment in advance. Doing so allows our team to prepare accordingly and ensures that your time with us is both meaningful and productive.
Why Book Ahead?
• Reduced Wait Times: Scheduling in advance helps minimise delays and enables us to allocate adequate time and attention to each visitor.
• Personalised Support: Understanding the purpose of the visit in advance enables visitors to provide focused, considerate, and effective assistance.
• Flexible Scheduling: Booking ahead allows visitors to choose a time that best suits their needs and commitments.
• Enhanced Experience: A well-organised schedule enables the Commission to uphold the dignity of the process and serve visitors with the care and attention they deserve.
How to book:
To schedule your visit, please:
• Use the booking form on our official website
• Call 9909003, or
• Email us at info@fijitrc.org.
Contact forms are also available at Post Fiji outlets, and online.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you.
Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth, respectful, and productive engagement with the Commission.
