TRC Final Report

Volume 5

Chapter 8

Subsection 4

Promotion of a human rights culture

21 To enhance the development of a human rights culture, which is a cornerstone of reconciliation, the Commission recommends that:

THE GOVERNMENT RECOMMIT ITSELF TO REGULAR AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

THE GOVERNMENT RECOMMIT ITSELF TO OPEN, CLEAN AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNANCE.

THE GOVERNMENT RE-EXAMINE THE REFORM AND STRENGTHENING OF STATE INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS BUREAUX IN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES AND TO INCREASING THE RESOURCES GRANTED TO INDEPENDENT WATCHDOGS, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR.

HUMAN RIGHTS CURRICULA BE INTRODUCED IN FORMAL EDUCATION, SPECIALISED EDUCATION AND THE TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. THESE CURRICULA MUST ADDRESS ISSUES OF, AMONGST OTHERS, RACISM, GENDER DISCRIMINATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN.

THE GOVERNMENT GIVE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO THE POSSIBILITY AND DESIRABILITY OF INCLUDING THE YOUTH, GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONS IN A SINGLE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION SO AS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY, CO-ORDINATION AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS; ALSO THAT SUCH A BODY BE ADEQUATELY FINANCED AND EQUIPPED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY, WHILE COMPLYING WITH PRINCIPLES OF OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

AS THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION AND ITS REPORT ARE VITAL RESOURCES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT ENSURE THAT THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT ARE MADE AS WIDELY AVAILABLE AS POSSIBLE TO ALL SECTORS AND LANGUAGE GROUPS OF OUR COUNTRY. THIS COULD BE DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CIVIL SOCIETY AND SHOULD INCLUDE AUDIO AND VIDEO TAPES, TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO CANNOT READ OR WRITE HAVE ACCESS TO THE REPORT.

ACADEMICS, JOURNALISTS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS BE ENCOURAGED TO UNDERTAKE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSES OF THE DATA GIVEN TO THE COMMISSION AS A BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING THE MOTIVES AND PERSPECTIVES OF THOSE ENGAGED IN THE CONFLICTS OF THE PAST. RESEARCH AND FIELD-BASED INITIATIVES AIMED AT PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT PERSUASIONS SHOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED.