Truth and reconciliation in South Africa : did the TRC deliver?

摘要: As nations throughout the world emerge from periods of human rights abuses, systematic oppression, and collective violence, truth commissions have become indispensable to political transition. Such are established as temporary bodies investigate violations patterns violence that occurred over a specified period time. Their goal is document conflict-to recover truth-as first step toward healing. Of date, South African Truth Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has most effectively captured public attention provided model for succeeding bodies. Although other had preceded its establishment, TRC far more expansive mandate: go beyond truth-finding promote national unity reconciliation, facilitate granting amnesty those who made full factual disclosure, restore civil dignity victims by providing them an opportunity tell their own stories, make recommendations president on measures prevent future violations. in Africa provides comprehensive evaluation process impact society. Based six-year study, volume draws analysis victim hearings, institutional opinion survey data, extensive interviews with range staff, people worked commission, members different communities affected TRC. raises fundamental questions about TRC, indeed all commissions, abilities realize mandates assigned them, particularly achieve difficult balance between reconciliation.