Wale outlines weaknesses in TRC Report

LEADER of Opposition Hon Matthew Wale has outlined weaknesses in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Act.

Speaking in Parliament recently, Hon Wale said firstly there is a lack of a specified timeframe for the implementation of the TRC recommendations.

Hon Wale said this has led to a delay of over a decade, an indication of a lack of political will by successive governments, undermining the TRC’s efforts and diluting the effect and time-relevance of its recommendations.

He said this delay has led to a sluggish integration of the key mechanisms required for both reparation and prosecution, as specified in the Commission’s recommendations.

“The urgent need for a Reparation policy and a monitoring body to oversee the Commission’s recommendations was significantly hindered,” he said.

The Opposition Leader said the immediate implementation of these measures were critical for addressing both short and long-term recommendations, especially given the degrading nature of the losses endured by the victims, their families, and communities.

Moreover, he said the delay casts doubts on the initial commitment towards organized reconciliation and healing, which was prevalent immediately after the ethnic tension.

“It forces us to re-evaluate our past actions and strategies before advancing on the implementation journey,” Hon Wale said.

The Opposition Leader adds the second weakness arising from the delay is the lack of a coordinated reparation framework to guide Government in designing and implementing policies that address the Commission’s short-term recommendations.

He said this gap has allowed successive Governments to handle victims, perpetrators, and communities outside the Commission’s mandate, raising questions about the adequacy of these measures in ensuring true reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing.

Hon Wale said there has been minimal focus on investigating the political climate, use of state power and resources, and the roles played by parliamentarians and militant leaders at the time.

“The lack of emphasis on incidents such as the raid of the armoury and the mission to the weathercoast, which resulted in horrific human rights violations, highlights the need for expert advice to ascertain criminal responsibilities and provide clearer recommendations,” he said.

Hon Wale said going forward it’s essential to critically evaluate these weaknesses and challenges, and adjust our approach accordingly to successfully implement the TRC’s recommendations.

ENDS//