Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation

NGO Coalition Press Statement to:

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Issued by The Project on Truth and Reconciliation at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 27 March 1996.

The Human Rights Documentation Project or the HRDP began in early 1995 after a group of NGO's were commissioned by Justice in Transition under the directorship of Alex Boraine, to begin a process of documenting potential cases of human rights abuses which could be used by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). A national coalition of 12 NGO's soon developed and began work on the project. A coordinating body was chosen in each region. These were The Independent Medical Unit in KwaZulu-Natal, The Mayibuye Centre in Cape Town, The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation in Gauteng, and The Legal Resources Centre/Human Rights Committee in Port Elizabeth. Each of these organisations were in turn assisted by several NGO's in each region. The full list of participants will be read at the end of this brief statement.

The first task of the grouping was to locate the potentially relevant records. The group focused largely on the public records compiled from human rights organisations collected over the apartheid years. These, for example, included advice office and paralegal statements, compiled documents like UN records and newspaper clippings, to mention a few.

The second phase of the project was to develop a computed database system which could store the information. A system called Evsys, which is an international standardised system used for documenting human rights violations was modified for the South African context. Records were then entered under three specific headings, these were either victim's names, perpetrators names or events. These three components are then linked by the computer. So, for example, a victim's name can be inputted, and all the relevant violations to that individual isolated.

In total approximately 4 100 events have been entered, 4 800 victims and 1 300 perpetrators files opened. In total 10 200 files were documented by the group.

In this sense the database can be used as a reference system for the TRC. So, for example, if a victim or perpetrator comes forward her name can be entered. If their information was inputted as part of the 10 200 files entered then the events linked to them and where the information on their case is housed can be instantly accessed. This should speed up the TRC's ability to locate information on individuals and isolate other victims/perpetrators or witnesses involved in a certain event.

However, one of the important issues in relation to the database is the issue of confidentiality. In relation to this it is important for the TRC to be aware that the database represents a source of information (a national library index if you like) not submissions to the TRC on other people's behalf. Personalised consent would have to be sought from each individual if the case was to be treated as a submission to the TRC. Whether consent has or has not been given in this capacity has been flagged on each record. Furthermore, every individual who worked on this project did take an oath of confidentiality.

Given all of this on behalf of the coalition we would like to give the database over to the TRC as a readily available source of information for your work. In this sense it is a demonstration by the NGO's involved in the project of our support for the TRC as it attempts to facilitate a process of reconciliation in South Africa. At the same time the coalition will keep a copy of the database so that as a human rights grouping we can monitor the use of the information we are giving to the TRC. It will also be used as a tool by the coalition, and maybe others, to be ensure that certain key issues with regards to the violations of the past are placed on the TRC's agenda. An example of this may be the issue of gender or violations against women which many people in the coalition feel are traditionally marginalised. For example, we could use the database to prepare a submission to the TRC which highlights these concerns. These types of submissions and interventions we see as our role as independent human rights groups in relation to the TRC. This is the role we have fulfilled in the past and this core group has lobbied various bodies, for example, the group helped ensure the removal of the secrecy clause and transparency of the commissioners election process. We will continue this monitoring and lobbying role even once the database has been handed over.

However, the handing over of the database - and the year's work that went into it should also be seen as an expression by the NGO's involved to develop a working partnership with the TRC. We're hoping we can build on the work done over the years as we confront the past. For us a partnership with the TRC is critical because in two years the TRC would have run its course, and it is NGO's, and other constituencies who will have to carry the flag of Human Rights into the future.

Therefore, on behalf of the HRDP (Human Rights Documentation Project), which consists of:

We would like to formally hand the database over to The Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
 
 
 
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