Truth and Reconciliation Commission TRC

Linked with Tutu, 78, to bow out of public life.

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was set up by the Government of National Unity to help deal with what happened under apartheid. The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped these abuses … (full text Homepage).

Amnesty Hearings; Special Hearings; Human Rights Violations; Media; Reparation, Rehabilitation; Report; Links;
Contacts.

Legal Background: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is based on the final clause of the Interim Constitution of 1993 and passed in Parliament as the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No 34 of 1995. 

Acts of the South African Parliament:

•Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No. 34 of 1995 (166 Kb). This is the Act that governs the TRC. The following amendments are included in the Act, (Act 34 of 1995):

  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Act 87 of 1995
  • Judicial Matters Amendment Act 104 of 1996 Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Act 18 of 1997
  • Public Service Laws Amendment Act 47 of 1997
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Second Amendment Act 84 of 1997
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Act 33 of 1998
  • Judicial Matters Amendment Act 34 of 1998
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Act 23 of 2003

Bills of the South African Parliament: These documents were obtained from the Government website at http://www.polity.org.za.

  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Bill, No. 30 of 1995, 40 pages (128 Kb).
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 37 of 1997, 3 pages (6 Kb).
  • Portfolio Committee Amendment to Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 37a of 1997, 1 page (2 Kb).
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 37b of 1997, 3 pages (6 Kb).
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 48 of 1998, 4 pages (10 Kb).
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 48a of 1998, 1 page (2 Kb).
  • Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Amendment Bill, No. 48b of 1998, 4 pages (10 Kb).

Constitutional Issues: These documents were obtained from the Government website and the Wits Law School website.

  • Section from the Interim Constitution which deals with the creation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 1 page (2 Kb).
  • Complete text of the Interim Constitution of 1993 165 pages (485 Kb).
  • The current version of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.pdf
  • Summary of the Constitutional Court Judgement of 25 July 1996 involving AZAPO, Mrs Biko, Mr Mxenge and Mr Ribeiro and the TRC 3 pages (4 Kb).
  • Full text of the Constitutional Court Judgement of 25 July 1996 involving AZAPO, Mrs Biko, Mr Mxenge and Mr Ribeiro and the TRC 58 pages (99 Kb).

Miscellaneous Documents:

  • Explanatory memorandum to the Parliamentary Bill 5 pages (14 Kb).
  • Justice in Transition booklet explaining the role of the TRC 9 pages (25 Kb).

If there are any documents you think should be added to this section, please e-mail the webmaster with suggestions.