These notes are for IEB Grade 12. They are part of the Road to Democracy theme and cover the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This includes the criticisms, the different committees and the findings of the TRC. This topic forms part of Paper 1
Established in 1994 by the Justice Portfolio Committee
- A platform for truth so that reconciliation can be achieved
- Chairman was Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- Deputy Chairman was Dr Alex Boraine
Hearings began 15 April 1996 and ended 28 October 1998
- Applications for amnesty closed 30 September 1997
There was a recognition that South Africa needed reconciliation
- TRC was created to promote understanding and humanitarianism (Ubuntu)
- Prevent violence, anger, fear and revenge
- Offer compensation for atrocities
Aims of the TRC
Investigate the extent and causes of human rights violations
- Accepted events from 1 May 1960 to 6 December 1993
- Later extended window to 11 May 1994
Give a voice to victims, witnesses and perpetrators by holding hearings and investigations
Recommend reparations for victims
Grant amnesty to perpetrators
Report the events to the public
Make recommendations so that the violations do not happen again
The TRC was not a court of law
- They could not prosecute or sentence anyone
- Provided restorative justice not retributive justice
o Eg. of retributive justice: Nuremberg Trials
Why was the TRC necessary?
Some white citizens did not know the extent of the atrocities
- Government censorship prevented them from knowing
- Some were ignorant or purposefully ignored what was going on
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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