Mixed views on TRNUC national lottery proposal to fund compensation request |12 May 2020

Several members of the public and ordinary Seychellois going about their routine business around Victoria yesterday said they were surprised to hear the announcement made by the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) vice-chairperson during the weekend that the Commission is proposing a national lottery to help fund compensation requests.

It is to be recalled that many people who were tortured and suffered different forms of atrocities or were killed in acts committed by different individuals for reasons known only to them and those who committed these acts supported by the State, as evidence revealed by witnesses and perpetrators who appeared before the TRNUC clearly showed, have requested they be paid a compensation for their suffering. But most of the victims have said they don’t want taxpayers money to be used for the purpose thus the TRNUC’s proposal for a national lottery.

While most of the people talked to were very vocal about the issue, very few wanted their identities revealed.

“I don’t want to be seen as criticising but this is something too much and unfair to be asked of us the ordinary Seychellois who had absolutely nothing to do with what happened during and after the coup d’etat of June 1977. Ask those responsible to contribute money,” one young man selling fruits at Market Street said.

For Alice (not her real name), a young professional: “I understand that the commission is looking for another means to collect some money to help not to put additional financial burden on the State. But would a lottery be enough? What if one of the perpetrators of some of the atrocities wins the star prize?

I personally will not buy any ticket. For those responsible of these crimes who are still alive why not make them contribute financially and why should I take part in paying for something I had no part in?”.

Marie-Annette Ernesta: “The process undertaken by the TRNUC is a very important healing process and therefore its importance should not be downplayed. I believe a lottery will reduce its importance and for the victims and their families this will be a double injury for them as their suffering will in some way be ridiculed. I believe all the perpetrators should be closely investigated and part of their assets, for those who have to be acquired for compensation purposes. For those who are already dead, those who inherited their wealth and assets should be called upon to make contributions to compensate their victims.

I also believe that the country should find a more dignified way to compensate the victims. The government should set up a fund so anyone can voluntarily contribute into so it does not have to use taxpayers’ money.”

Anita Gardner: “I believe all perpetrators should be investigated, even those who have passed away. Their heirs should come forward to declare what they had. Definitely the setting up of a fund would also be a good idea and as I have family members who also suffered, I would voluntarily make a small contribution towards the fund but not a lottery.”

Anne Jacques: “I believe such a healing process undertaken by the TRNUC is a very important one for our country and our future and a lottery should have no involvement to it whatsoever. For all those perpetrators who appeared before the TRNUC, for all the witnesses who spoke and the victims who recounted their ordeal, everyone who listened have seen how the atrocities unfolded. Will the guilty parties get away just like that? They should be brought to justice and the Courts will decide who and how compensations should be paid.

In this difficult time where our financial situation is being impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic I don’t believe a lottery will be a success.’’

Michel Savy: “I am really surprised because really I was not expecting compensations to such an important matter for our country to be settled by a lottery. I understand that if taxpayers’ money was to be used the country would probably go bankrupt. But I truly have mixed feelings on the compensation issue. It is clear though that through all that we have heard that a large part of the atrocities were committed by different individuals for reasons known only to them so can the State be responsible for their actions as well? Frankly I think the Commission should clearly distinguish between those crimes committed by individuals and those instigated by the State. It should also separate criminal and civil cases and let the Court decide on the issue of compensation while it focuses on its role which is to ensure people who appear before it speak the truth.

I believe people will not be motivated to buy those lottery tickets as they know it is not for a charitable cause.”

Compiled by Marie-Anne Lepathy