Human rights officials last night backed calls for a Truth and Reconciliation committee for Bermuda.

Retiring Anglican Bishop Ewen Ratteray, in an interview with The Royal Gazette earlier this week, said he felt Bermuda was polarised along race lines more than ever due to the prolonged legal wrangling over the Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) investigation.

He said he thought the only way to resolve the racial divisions was a Truth and Reconciliation committee.

And though Venous Memari, chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission, said she was unable to comment on the investigation into the BHC, she supported the idea of a Truth and Reconciliation committee.

She said: “I think, in principle, the concept is one method by which the issues of racial differences can be addressed and resolved in a constructive manner.

“If it were successful in carrying out its mandate, it would assist the HRC in better resolving complaints of racial discrimination.”

Ms Memari did recognise that there are currently several bodies such as CURE, CURB and the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative(BRRI) working to address race relations in Bermuda.

Nonetheless she supports a truth and reconciliation committee.

The challenge she believes would be in its composition and structure.

In her opinion the racial differences in Bermuda are unique because of the Island’s history and therefore a truth and reconciliation committee should be comprised of Bermudians.

It is not the first time a Truth and Reconciliation committee has been proposed as PLP MP Renee Webb raised the issue last year and the Bermuda Independence Commission Report from 2005 also brought it up.

The difference this time, according to Bishop Ratteray is that he has received far more support and response then when he has spoken on the topic in the past.

Just this week the Catholic Bishop Robert Kurtz, said he supported a Truth and Reconciliation committee, depending on the mandate and Rolfe Commissiong, consultant to the Premier for race relations, said he fully backed the concept.

While UBP Leader Michael Dunkley said he would support the process as well as bring the process forward and in an effort to do just that met with the Bishop on Wednesday.

Mr. Dunkley said: “We had a very good discussion. I am very serious about this process and I am committed to moving it forward. But it is something that needs to not be part of one political party or the other.

“I will, however, be part of the process.”