10 Nov 2011

Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Solomon Islands says public hungry for justice after conflict

8:17 pm on 10 November 2011

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Solomon Islands says members of the public have expressed their desire to resolve the ethnic tension of the last decade and to see justice done.

The TRC has now completed 11 hearings around the country investigating the causes of the civil unrest which began in late 1998 when Guadalcanal militants forced many Malaitan settlers off the island.

Its chairperson Father Sam Ata says a key result from the testimonies is the community's hunger for justice and for the matter to be resolved.

"The victims -they demonstrated their desire to recover, that is stronger than the other hearings that we had for ex-militants and former leaders of the country. The victims -they expressed especially the violation that happened to them -the human rights violation."

Father Sam Ata says the TRC will fully engage in a national reconciliation process once the report is completed.