Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
27 MAY 1997
TRC Commissioner, Dr Wendy Orr, deputy chairperson of the Commission's Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee, has withdrawn from her position as a Federal Councillor of the Medical Association of South Africa (MASA).
The decision to withdraw follows her role as facilitator in the TRC's Health Sector Submission event next month. Dr Orr, who served on MASA's Ethics Committee, feels that until such time as all interest groups in the health sector agree on ethical standards and practices for the profession in South Africa, her role should be as impartial as possible and she should not be seen to be aligned to any one particular interest group, which could call into question the credibility and integrity of the process.
The Health Sector Submissions are part of the TRC's efforts to fulfill it's mandate in terms of establishing "as complete a picture as possible of the causes, nature and extent of the gross violations of human rights" committed during the period covering our mandate. In addition, the TRC must compile a report providing as comprehen- sive an account as possible, amongst others containing recommenda- tions of measures to prevent the future violations of human rights. This include a framework and guidelines for ethical standards in the medical profession.
Dr Orr, who is also a consultant to the British Medical Association on ethics in the health profession, believes that participants in the health submission event and subsequent workshops on how to prevent future collusion in ethical breaches should get a carte blanche to decide on the formulation of appropriate ethical norms for this country.
Dr Bernard Mandel, chairman of MASA's Federal Council, said that MASA has fully supported the objectives of the TRC, and understands the necessity to keep the health hearings process above question. "MASA looks forward to a continued healthy relationship with Dr Orr in the future", he said.
The submission event will take place on 17 and 18 June in Cape Town. Submissions have been received from more than 20 significant role-players in the health sector, including institutions and indi- viduals. International health organisations, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Physicians for Human Rights, IRCT from Denmark and the British Medical Association have expressed interest in attending the hearings.
Media can phone Christelle Terreblanche for more information on 0824588461