A thorough guide to South African history, aptly summarised by an A student. These notes summarise and contain the context with which the TRC was set up, the aims of the TRC, struggles that occurred when setting up the TRC, criticisms with the TRC, praises for the TRC, and a general overview of im...
CONTEXT: Established in 1995, chairman – Desmond Tutu.
The Truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) was set up and created following negotiations and
agreements that led to the abolition of apartheid and the transition of South Africa into a new
democratic country.
The TRC was created as a way to deal with South Africa’s apartheid past and the gross human rights
violations committed during that time. The TRC valued reconciliation and truth rather than revenge.
The TRC was created in May 1995, a year after the democratic elections of 1994 where Nelson
Mandela was voted President. The TRC was created under the National Unity and Reconciliation
Act.
AIMS OF TRC
THE TRC AIMED TO “PROMOTE NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION IN A SPIRT OF
UNDERSTANDING WHICH TRANSCENDS CONFLICT AND DIVISIONS OF THE PAST” BY:
1. Investigating and establishing the causes and extent of Human Rights (HR) violations
committed under Apartheid between 1960 and 1993. Why 1960? Sharpeville, turning point.
(THIS AIM WAS DEALT WITH UNDER THE HR VIOLATIONS COMMITTEE)
2. Recommending compensation for victims and granting them an opportunity to speak and give
statements of their own accounts of HR violations and make known the whereabouts and fate
of victims. (THIS AIM WAS DEALT WITH UNDER THE REHABILITAION AND RECONCILATION
COMMITTEE)
3. Granting conditional amnesty to perpetrators who tell the full truth and facts relating to the HR
violations committed. And stating any political objectives within the violations committed. (This
Aim was dealt with under the AMNESTY COMMITTEE)
4. Compiling a full, comprehensive report of victim and perpetrators accounts and statements
detailing the activities and findings. As well as recommendations on measures to be taken to
prevent future HR violations.
ACTIONS/TACTICS: HOW THEY ACHIEVED THEIR AIMS
The work of the TRC was achieved through 3 committees:
1. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTEE
2. REHABILITATION AND RECONCILIATION COMMITTEE
3. AMNESTY COMMITTEE
1. COMMITTEE ON HR VIOLATIONS
People came to tell their stories (around 21 300 people gave their statements)
National coverage of the proceedings (broadcast on T.V). Victims and survivors came
forward and told their stories in any language they chose.
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