Rights and Reasons: Challenges for Truth Recovery in South Africa and Northern Ireland

Abstract

This Essay will argue that any transitional mechanism must be by its nature and temporal historical location a politically contested instrument. This can have differing political and social impacts, and impact on the human rights culture in the society in question. Based on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission ( TRC ) experience, two rights-based issues -- namely, human rights and victims\u27 rights -- will be discussed