Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
September 30, 1996
A delegation from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is to visit Rwanda later this week for consultations with the Rwandan government about its policy on reparations for victims of the country's conflict.
The visit is being made at a time when the Rwandan government is piloting its reparations legislation through its National Assembly. It is taking place at the invitation of President Pasteur Bizimungu of Rwanda andis being financed by a grant from the Belgian Government.
The Commission hopes the visit will be of mutual benefit to Rwanda and South Africa: the process in Rwanda has reached the stage South Africa hopes to reach in two years' time, when the Commission has reported to the President and Parliament debates legislation providing reparations.
The delegation is headed by Ms Hlengiwe Mkhize, the chairperson of the TRC's Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee, and includes three other Commissioners, all members of the same committee: Dr Wendy Orr, Dr Mapule Ramashala and Ms Glenda Wildschut. Other delegation members are Mr Justice Andrew Wilson of the Amnesty Committee, Mr Ilan Lax and Mr Ntsiki Sandi of the Human Rights Violations Committee and three staff members.