TRC WORKSHOP OPEN TO MEDIA DURING OPENING & CLOSURE

Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Journalists are advised that the consultative workshop on Saturday, November 23 at our head office in Cape Town, will be open for the media during the opening and the closure.

The purpose of the consultative workshop is for the TRC to facilitate a process through which the health care sector can examine the role which it played and/or failed to play in human rights abuses of the past. it is hoped that consensus could be reached in the workshop on how to take this process of truth recovery further.

The welcome will be at 09h00 by Commissioner Dr Wendy Orr, followed by the keynote address delivered by Mr. Steve Kahnovitz of the Legal Resources Centre. journalists and photographers will be welcome to attend the opening.

At 09h30 the participants will start small group discussions on various issues, which are expected to continue till 16h30 pm. these will be closed to the media.

Issues to be addressed include:

• What objectives do we want to achieve by addressing and examining the role of health professionals in human rights abuses in South Africa?
• What is the scope or range within which these objectives should be pursued (for example, should alleged abuses by health professionals in security forces be included)?
• What are the best methods to achieve these objectives?
• How do we deal with those issues which fall outside the TRC'S mandate or capacity?
• What actions should be taken by the profession?

Dr Orr will chair for the closing remarks and decisions on the way forward. this item, starting approximately 17h00 pm will be open to the media.

A press conference might be held after the closure, but a statement will definitely be issued.

All journalists and photographers wishing to attend, should fax their names and positions to Christelle Terreblanche, before Friday, 22 November, at 021-245225.