OPPOSITION SUPPORTS TRC EXTENSION REQUEST

Editor's Desk.

The Opposition urges the Danny Phillip-led National Coalition for Rural Advancement Government (NCRA) to extend the term of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission mandated to establish the truth about the ethnic tension and foster reconciliation between the aggressors and the victims.

Opposition Leader, Steve Abana made the call following the announcement by the National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation Minister, Hon. Hypolite Taremae in the media yesterday of a possible extension of the term of the TRC by the NCRA Government.

Mr Abana said the Opposition supports the commission’s request to the government for the extension to ensure it completes the challenging task of bringing together the victims and the aggressors to tell their accounts of the petrifying experiences they suffered and had inflicted.

He said he understands that some victims are holding back due to fear of retaliation by the aggressors or their relatives and on the other hand, some aggressors are reluctant to come forward for fear of prosecution and this challenging task cannot be accomplished within a span of only two years.

The Opposition Leader said Solomon Islands must establish the truth behind the tension and reconcile those that suffered from the violence then and their perpetrators if it wants to restore national peace and unity.

Mr Abana said the NCRA Government must demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the return of lasting peace and unity in the country by approving the request by the TRC and also providing sufficient budgetary allocation to the Ministry for National Unity, Peace and Reconciliation for the work of the TRC in the 2011 budget.