Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Confidence in Solomon Islands that people will talk to Truth Commission

Posted at 04:39 on 27 April, 2009 UTC

There’s confidence in Solomon Islands that people will come forward to tell their stories to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which will be launched on Wednesday.

A five-member commission to probe the causes of ethnic unrest between 1998 and 2003 has now been appointed, which will be chaired by Father Sam Ata.

Thousands of people are expected in Honiara for the launch of the Commission by the South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

The permanent secretary of the Ministry for National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, Joy Kere says the people of Solomon Islands asked for the commission to be established so she’s confident people will take part.

“Definitely people will come forward because its designed by people of Solomon Islands to address their issues there. So through the process of truth telling people can tell their stories of what happened, the impact of the conflict, what their underlying thinking is in terms of the underlying causes of the conflict.”

Joy Kere says the commissioners will undertake three months prepatory work before the commission officially begins.