25 May 2010

Solomons Truth and Reconciliation hearings move to Malaita

3:13 pm on 25 May 2010

The Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission says its funding arrangements have improved and there should be no further delays to its regional hearings.

The Commission's first regional hearing gets underway in Malaita tomorrow after funding delays forced its postponement last month.

About 35 victims of the ethnic conflict that displaced about 20,000 people in the province of Malaita are due to appear during the three-day hearing.

The commission earlier said its funding was being delivered too slowly by the government, and the United Nations Development Programme which is administering funds from the European Union, AusAID and NZAID.

But its chairman Father Sam Ata says this is being resolved

"The postponement was made due to the slow process of having funds available in time for the previous planned regional hearing. But the arrangement has been improved and the UNDP is very supportive."

Father Ata says future hearings are planned in Guadalcanal as well as the western, eastern and central regions.