Legislation providing for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has recently been passed by South Africa's Parliament. This represents the culmination of a set of debates centred on how best to confront a past characterised by massive violations of human rights in a country which has recently undergone a transformation to democracy. This article tracks these debates from the beginnings of South Africa's transition in 1990 to the finalisation of the TRC legislation in mid-1995. It describes the aims, powers and structures of the TRC and in so doing engages with some of the more controversial and difficult areas of its work.
TRC Simpson et al
Graeme Simpson
Graeme Simpson, Co-founder of CSVR and former Executive Director, is an experienced peacebuilder with international expertise in violence, reconciliation and transitional justice. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The University of the Witwatersrand, Master's degree History from the University of The Witwatersrand and BA Hons History; African Politics; Industrial sociology from The University of the Witwatersrand.
Paul van Zyl
Paul van Zyl is a former Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation.
