Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
6 May 1998
In what Archbishop Tutu is calling "an exciting and historic day" for the TRC, staff will today (Wednesday) send out notices to the first 700 people who have been officially declared victims of gross human rights violations, and informing them that they are eligible to apply for reparation.
From now on, about 2,000 findings and reparations application forms will be sent out every week. This is the culmination of two years of work, during which the TRC has collected and processed more than 20,000 statements alleging gross violations of human rights.
The TRC is arranging a photo op/ news conference at its Cape Town offices immediately upon the lunchtime adjournment of today's UDF hearing. (At between 12.30 pm and 1 pm.)
Photographers will be able to get pix of staff printing out findings, and dispatching big batches of envelopes in special Post Office mailing boxes. Key staff will explain the process. A news release will be handed out at the photo op.
This is an important day for the victims who have approached the TRC in the past two years, and you are invited to the photo op., in room 923 on the 9th floor of the TRC offices, 106 Adderley Street, Cape Town.
Inquiries: John Allen, 082- 452- 7859.