TRC Final Report

Volume 5

Chapter 8

Subsection 35

Apologies to neighbouring states

113 The Commission received a number of statements from citizens of neighbouring countries, including Namibia, alleging that they had suffered gross violations of their human rights as a result of actions of representatives of the previous South African government. The Commission, lacking the resources and time to address such claims, has not made findings on such violations, nor is it recommending that reparations be paid to the victims. However, the Commission recommends that:

THE SUFFERING OF SUCH PERSONS BE CONSIDERED IN GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

A PUBLIC APOLOGY BE MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES FOR PAST VIOLATIONS.

IMMEDIATE AND APPROPRIATE SYMBOLIC REPARATIONS BE CONSIDERED, IN THE FORM OF STATUES OR MONUMENTS, SCHOLARSHIPS OR OTHER FORMS OF RECOGNITION, DEMONSTRATING SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS’ EMPATHY WITH THE SUFFERING OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR NEIGHBOURING STATES AND APPRECIATION OF THEIR SOLIDARITY.

Prosecutions for apartheid as a crime against humanity

114 The definition of apartheid as a crime against humanity has given rise to a concern that persons who are seen to have been responsible for apartheid policies and practices might become liable to international prosecutions. The Commission believes that international recognition should be given to the fact that the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, and the processes of this Commission itself, have sought to deal appropriately with the matter of responsibility for such policies.

■ CONCLUSION

115 This chapter concludes where it began. Reconciliation is a process which is never-ending, is costly and often painful. For this process to develop, it is imperative that democracy and a human rights culture be consolidated. Reconciliation is centred on the call for a more decent, more caring and more just society. It is up to each individual to respond by committing ourselves to concrete ways of easing the burden of the oppressed and empowering the poor to play their rightful part as citizens of South Africa.