Ethics & International Affairs Volume 12 (1998): Articles: South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission: Ethical and Theological Perspectives [Abstract]

Dec 4, 1998

How do governments deal with human rights violations committed by former regimes? How can adequate justice for the formerly oppressed be provided at the same time as recovery from the abuses of the former regime is promoted? For South Africa the solution has been the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), whose goal is to reconcile former enemies by providing amnesty to perpetrators who disclose the truth about the past to victims. This essay presents an overview of the TRC—its establishment, procedures, and operating principles—and examines the way in which the commission emphasizes forgiveness rather than retribution for past wrongs. This approach focuses on victims rather than perpetrators, and healing rather than punishment. While the TRC has a clear political focus, it is at its heart a deeply theological and ethical initiative.

To read or purchase the full text of this article, click here.

You may also like

AUG 2, 2022 Journal

Ethics & International Affairs Volume 36.2 (Summer 2022)

The editors of Ethics & International Affairs are pleased to present the Summer 2022 issue of the journal! The highlight of this issue is a roundtable organized ...

FEB 26, 2025 Podcast

A World without USAID? with Andrew Natsios

Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator, discusses humanitarianism as a moral principle and the potential geopolitical consequences of the shuttering of the aid organization.

FEB 20, 2025 Podcast

Morality and Power from the Individual to the Institution, with Joel Rosenthal

For the inaugural episode of "Values & Interests" Joel Rosenthal unpacks the complex and challenging relationship between morality and power in our personal lives and geopolitics.