Apartheid Museum

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

In July 1995 South Africa’s new parliament passed a law authorising the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was appointed in December 1995. The central purpose of the Commission was to promote re-conciliation and forgiveness among perpetrators and victims of apartheid. The Commission was charged with three specific tasks: to discover the causes and nature of human rights violations in South Africa between 1960 and 1994; to identify victims with a view to paying reparations; and to allow amnesty to those who fully disclosed their involvement in politically motivated human rights violations.

Quick Facts

  • The central purpose of the Commission was to promote reconciliation and forgiveness among perpetrators and victims of apartheid by the full disclosure of truth.
  • The apartheid government was found by the TRC to be the main perpetrator of gross human rights violations.
  • The TRC took the testimony of approximately 21 000 victims; 2 000 of these appeared in public hearings.
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    Permanent Exhibition