TRC Final Report

Volume 5

Chapter 8

Subsection 33

■ THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS

109 The Commission notes that, while the liberation movements were motivated by a just cause in the struggle against apartheid, they nevertheless committed gross violations of human rights both inside and outside of the country.

110 The Commission notes further that, in this conflict, the African National Congress was the only party which signed the Geneva Convention and its protocols regarding the conduct of national wars of liberation, that it made a conscious effort to conduct itself within that framework, and that it instituted several commissions of enquiry into its conduct.

111 The Commission therefore recommends that:

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS ISSUE A CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL APOLOGY TO:

EACH VICTIM OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN EXILE;

THOSE DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL AND THOSE DETAINED, TRIED AND FOUND TO BE INNOCENT.

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS WITHDRAW ALL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST AND PUBLICLY CLEAR THE NAMES OF THOSE DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL AND THOSE DETAINED, TRIED AND FOUND TO BE INNOCENT.

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS SEEK TO RECONCILE WITH AND REINTEGRATE THE VICTIMS OF ABUSES.

THE LIBERATION MOVEMENTS SEEK TO ESTABLISH THE WHEREABOUTS AND FATE OF ALL THOSE WHO WENT MISSING IN EXILE, AND REGULARLY PUBLISH INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRESS IN THESE INVESTIGATIONS.