5 Jul 2005

Truth and Reconciliation Commission must be more than superficial -Solomons peace activist

8:14 pm on 5 July 2005

A Solomon Islands civil society campaigner, Mike Hammer, says a Truth and Reconciliation commission would only work if everyone fully committed to the process.

The establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is one of 25 recommendations made by the Pacific Forum's Eminent Persons group which reviewed the work of the Regional Assistance Mission in May.

The Government has already endorsed the Forum's proposal.

But Mr Hammer says he believes attempts to reconcile have been half hearted so far and the Commission would alienate people if it was only superficial.

"Well of course, we didn't go all the way. and there are people who are major members of society, whether they are in government or business or behind the scenes, that are very highly complicit with some of the problems that we have had in the past. So if a Truth and Reconciliation were an attempt to go only on the surface, rather than go to the bone, then we are going to alienate more people."