Truth Commissions as a tool for consolidating democracy- A case study of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Abstract: The thesis examines the truth and reconciliation commission in South Africa and its possibilities to act as a vehicle in the process of consolidating democracy. The norms and values that can be found in the principles and practices of the commission are scrutinized, and the means of presenting this norms to the public is also looked into. The issue of how to deal with the human rights violations of a past regime forms the theoretical framework, and the truth commission is compared with the traditional solution of court proceedings. In particular, the question of whether to grant amnesty or not is in focus. Further, the possibilities to strengthen the rule of law, promoting a human rights culture, promoting accountability, and deterring future return to non-democratic governance are examined. In the study both shortcomings and advantages of a truth commission are displayed.