​​​​Restorative Justice, Truth Commissions and The Luxury of Hindsight

Abstract

​There have been multiple criticisms of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The concept of restorative justice is considered as the base of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the manner in which it is reflexive in nature has the ability to be the agency of change. When looking at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the agency of restorative justice has both the ability to provide success and challenges, with some critics calling it a success and others a failure. To transcend the hatred and the act of apartheid is not possible without the opportunity to hear stories, understand the processes and acts linked to these, and also the need to know what action will be followed in order to address this.

21 years have passed since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was conducted, and various considerations of rumination have indicated that there are still challenges noted by participants. This paper considers the expectations that were made by participants in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and considers why restorative justice is still a work in progress. In addition to this, the various challenges noted are considered as well as alternatives which could be explored.

Full academic paper available upon request.

​Presented at:

​International Conference on Humanities, Literature, Business and Education (Ontario College for Research and Development, Canada), Bangkok Thailand.