TRNUC talks national lottery idea, return of hearings on May 25 |19 May 2020
Chairperson of the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission, Gabrielle McIntyre, has clarified that the commission does not have a mandate to “give out compensation” but is mandated to make recommendations for the payment of compensation to complainants in its final report to the President.
This statement comes after the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission (TRNUC) recently announced its proposition for the government to consider holding a national lottery to raise funds for the payment of compensation to victims of the June 5, 1977 coup and its succeeding years.
Mrs McIntyre explained to Seychelles NATION that the recommendation is just that, a recommendation, and that it would be up to the relevant government authorities to decide whether they will run with it and, if so, determine how it will work.
“The commission recommended the lottery idea because it is concerned that in the environment of COVID-19 available funds will be limited. The commission appreciates that compensation will be a necessary part of the process of reconciliation,” Mrs McIntryre added.
In response to the national lottery idea, a handful of persons have gone to social media to express their apprehension and stressed that it should be the perpetrators who pay the compensation.
Indeed, Mrs Mcintyre expressed that the TRNUC is exploring other methods of obtaining funds for the payment of compensation, including seeking to obtain funds from perpetrators in circumstances where their assets can be linked to human rights violations.
The vice-chairperson of TRNUC, Michael Green, also went on record in a radio interview to suggest the setting up of a trust fund, which some persons and organisations could contribute to.
Mr Green further encouraged members of the public to come forward to share their own recommendations as to how funds can be gathered to pay for victim compensations at the end of TRNUC’s three-year investigations.
TRNUC expects to resume its hearing sessions as from next week, from May 25, following several weeks of collaborative work with the health department to implement measures that respect social distancing guidelines.
Mrs McIntyre informed Seychelles NATION that the commission will resume its hearings with a revised sitting arrangement – a two-bench formation which will allow a one metre distance between each commissioner seated in two rows, one in front of the other.
According to Mr Green, a partition wall was removed to allow for more space.
TRNUC will also restrict the number of persons allowed in its hearing room to two, and has set up facilities whereby up to two other interested persons can view the proceedings from a separate location.
Additionally, all persons entering its premises will have their temperature checked and will be provided with hand sanitiser at the entrance.
As of now, TRNUC has opened investigations in 138 cases and heard 248 witnesses.
There are approximately 300 cases that have yet to be heard and TRNUC anticipates starting a number of these cases in its upcoming hearing.
Elsie Pointe