Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission

01/09/2026

Bula Vinaka, Namaste and Noa'ia

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗼?

The Commission is encouraging members of the public to contact us. If you or your community suffered harm physically, emotionally, or financially or if your human rights were substantially violated during the past political upheavals from the year 1987, we would like to hear from you.

26/08/2026

𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐮𝐥𝐮’𝐬 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞

“Driven by a shared purpose, we boarded a minibus bound for Sukanaivalu Barracks, to stand in support of our cause: the return of our customary land following the expiration of its leases.”

This was the recollection shared by villagers of Wasavulu Village, in the District of Labasa, Province of Macuata, as they reflected on their involvement in the events surrounding the takeover of Sukanaivalu Barracks in 2000.

In their submission to the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC), during an engagement led by Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu, villagers explained that their actions at the time were driven by what they believed would serve the long-term interests of Wasavulu and its people.

Villagers raised concerns about extensive land leasing associated with Labasa’s expansion, saying it had constrained the space available to support the community and its growing youth population.

They also recalled that their participation was influenced by traditional leadership at the time and reflected on the impact the events had on their community.

Beyond the events themselves, villagers spoke openly about the trauma and difficulties they experienced during and after the upheaval. Their reflections highlighted the lasting emotional impact political instability can have on families and communities.

Yet, from those painful memories came a message of hope.

Emphasising national unity, the people of Wasavulu expressed their desire for a future free from coups and called for greater understanding, dialogue and the resolution of historical grievances between communities.

The engagement provided Wasavulu community with a space to reflect on its past and consider what truth, healing and reconciliation can mean for its people and future generation.

25/08/2026

𝐕𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚’𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬: 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

More than two decades after the political upheaval of 2000, the people of Vunisea Village, in the District of Dreketi, Province of Macuata, continue to carry memories of a period shaped by promises, expectations and difficult consequences. During a recent community engagement and statement-taking visit by the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission (FTRC), villagers shared their experiences and reflected on what that period meant for their families, land and vanua.

Villagers recalled that their involvement at the time was influenced by leaders who presented the situation as an effort to reclaim and defend their land and vanua. They spoke of the promises and expectations raised during that period and their hopes for positive change within the community.

When those expectations did not eventuate, villagers recalled the disappointment and difficulties that followed. They described the lasting effects on their community and their relationship with the land.

Among the key recommendations raised was the return of land for the benefit of future generations. Community members expressed concerns about how the events of 2000 affected their connection to and rights concerning their land. For them, the issue remains closely connected to vanua, identity, heritage and the future of their children and descendants.

Villagers also expressed their appreciation to Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu for his presence and for taking the time to listen to their concerns and recommendations.

The engagement enabled the people of Vunisea to place their perspectives on record and share their aspirations for the future. Their accounts will contribute to the FTRC’s ongoing work to document the experiences of communities affected by Fiji’s political upheavals and to the country’s continuing journey towards truth, healing and reconciliation.

24/08/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

A team from the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission facilitated a community engagement at Nasekula Village, District of Labasa, Province of Macuata, where members of the community shared deeply personal experiences and reflections on the 2000 political upheaval and the lasting impact it had on their families and vanua.

Villagers recalled moments of fear, humiliation and uncertainty, describing experiences that left lasting emotional scars within families and the wider community. They reflected on the involvement of traditional leaders and young men from the village, and how the events disrupted their sense of security, dignity and unity.

The community also raised concerns about their land and traditional boundaries, recalling their shock and frustration when investors began entering areas they understood to be within their customary boundaries. For Nasekula, the issue was not only about land, but also about identity, dignity, belonging and the right of the vanua to be heard and respected. Villagers stressed the importance of protecting their boundaries and ensuring meaningful consultation when developments affect their land.

The FTRC team was honoured to be joined by Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu. Villagers expressed their appreciation for his presence and for taking the time to listen firsthand to their stories and concerns

The engagement gave the Nasekula community a space to bring forward memories that have remained with them, while sharing recommendations for a future where their voices, dignity, land and vanua are respected. Their reflections form part of Fiji’s continuing journey towards truth, healing and reconciliation.

23/08/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐋𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐥

A team from the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission facilitated a community engagement at Lutukina Village, District of Dreketi, in the Province of Macuata, whereby villagers shared and reflected on the 2000 political upheaval and its impact on their families and vanua.

During the engagement, community members spoke about their experiences during the period and how the events affected their lives and families. Women in the community shared how unsafe and uncertain they felt, particularly at night when they saw torch lights from the mountains near the village, followed by responding torch signals from areas close to the village boundary. Fearing for the safety of their families, husbands and loved ones, some women recalled putting their children to bed early as they remained uncertain about what could happen during the night.

The team was honoured by the presence of Commissioner Sekove Naqiolevu, who was warmly welcomed by the villagers and took the opportunity to listen firsthand to the experiences shared by the community.

The engagement provided an important space for the Lutukina community to share their perspectives and contribute to preserving their experiences for future generations as part of Fiji’s ongoing journey towards truth, healing and reconciliation.

21/08/2026

𝗨𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗷𝗶 𝗧𝗥𝗖 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀

In accordance with the FTRC Act 2024, the Commission wishes to advise the public that it will be holding a series of public and private hearings in various locations around the country from this month (August).



Fiji Sun The Fiji Times FBC News Mai TV FijiLive fijivillage FBC TV

17/08/2026

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐣𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚

The Commission is encouraging members of the Fijian Diaspora in Australia to contact us.

If you or your community suffered harm physically, emotionally, or financially or if your human rights were substantially violated during Fiji’s political upheavals from 1987 onwards, we would like to hear from you.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 🔻 🔻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀!!

16/08/2026

Understanding our Constitution is essential to understanding our rights, responsibilities and the society we want to build. 🇫🇯

Following Dialogue Fiji’s Constitutional Literacy Publication Launch, Mr Joaquim Da Fonseca, Chairperson of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission, shared his reflections on the importance of the two newly launched publications.

He emphasised that citizens need to understand the contents of the country’s foundational documents so they can exercise and defend their rights, engage meaningfully in national discussions, and hold government accountable.

At a time when Fiji continues its journey of understanding its history, its society and one another, access to clear and balanced information remains vital. Mr Da Fonseca described the publications as a valuable contribution to this process and encouraged Dialogue Fiji to continue its efforts to strengthen public knowledge and understanding.

📗 “Fiji’s Recent Constitutional Frameworks”
📘 “Understanding Fiji’s Recent Constitutions: A Citizen’s Illustrated Guide”
Watch the video to hear his reflections.

12/08/2026