Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
I was very surprised to hear on tonight's television news that South Africa's editors had called upon the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to open tomorrow's amnesty hearing to the public.
The Editors have their facts wrong. The amnesty hearings tomorrow are open, like all other amnesty hearings have been.
When the Bill setting up the Commission came before Parliament, there was a debate about whether TRC hearings should be open. Fortunately good sense prevailed and hearings can be closed only exceptional circumstances. All TRC hearings, both of the Human Rights Violations Committee and the Amnesty Committee, have been open since we began them in April.
It staggers me that Editors, of all people, should not check their facts.
20 October 1996