President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has praised the work of the Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission as its new Chairperson, Joaquim Da Fonseca, formally took his oath of office at State House this morning.

Mr Da Fonseca recited the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath for the Due Execution of Office before the President, witnessed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, Cabinet Ministers, members of the Commission and members of the diplomatic corps.

A seasoned diplomat and peace-builder, Mr Da Fonseca brings more than two decades of experience in reconciliation, transitional justice and human rights, particularly in post-conflict societies.

He has been closely involved in Timor-Leste’s truth and reconciliation journey since 1999, contributing to early initiatives under the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor and helping shape national reconciliation mechanisms that remain in place today.

His career includes senior diplomatic postings as Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands from 2013 to 2019, and as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva between 2009 and 2013.

Mr Da Fonseca also served as Senior Advisor for Human Rights and Civil Society in the Office of the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste and most recently worked as Coordinator and Senior Advisor at the National Commission for Reconciliation among Timorese, focusing on addressing internal conflicts from 1974 to 1999.

The Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission operates independently under the Truth and Reconciliation Act passed in December 2024.

The Coalition Government has committed to ensuring the Commission is adequately resourced to carry out its mandate of truth-telling, healing and national reconciliation in relation to political upheavals since 1987.