Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

UNWILLINGNESS TO DETERMINE THE TRUTH WILL UNDERMINE THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION
- says High Commissioner for South Africa

“The South African experience taught us that in divided societies where former adversaries are forced to live side by side, the attempts to build peace and reconciliation cannot be cosmetic. Furthermore, it taught us that the unwillingness to determine the truth will only undermine the process of reconciliation”.

This was said by His Excellency Geoff Doidge, High Commissioner for South Africa in Sri Lanka in a message he delivered at the Caritas-sponsored Sri Lanka Working Group Meeting held recently in Colombo.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) also showed that throughout all engagements, the search for the truth and full disclosure are necessary for societal healing, the High Commissioner said and added that the more expansive the truth-seeking operation is, the more beneficial and liberating are the effects on the whole society.

In 1995, the South African Parliament passed into law the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act which provided for the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This Act is more than just the TRC and must not be confused with the life of the Commission, Mr Geoff Doidge pointed out. It is important that the Act continues to be relevant and is still being implemented. It is the responsibility of the people’s Parliament to oversee the implementation of the Act. “ Although the TRC has reported, it must be borne in mind that the Act is both backward-looking and forward-looking and will remain in place until its objectives are achieved”, said the High Commissioner. The overall objective of the Commission was to promote national unity and reconciliation in a spirit of understanding which transcends the conflicts and divisions of the past.

South Africa’s TRC was the most expansive, covering the period 1960-1994, collecting around 21,000 testimonies, corroborating facts, convening public hearings and cross-examination of amnesty applicants. The TRC was unique in that it was conducted in the full glare of the public and received extensive publicity, pointing to its transparency and openness. It allowed for wide and daily coverage, both inside the country and outside, and often gave blow-by-blow accounts of proceedings, displayed images on televisions and newspapers. South Africa found that the TRC provided a platform for breaking the silence on the atrocities committed and opened up a national dialogue on the human rights violations, with the commitment to ensure that these are not repeated in the future.

Mr Geoff Doidge observed that “ South Africa has made its willingness known to assist, wherever possible, in sharing the experiences of a negotiated settlement, promotion of national unity and reconciliation. Our negotiators are willing and ready to come to Sri Lanka to engage”.