Georgetown Law
Georgetown Law Library

South African Legal Research

This is an introductory guide for U.S. law students and practitioners researching the law of South Africa.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The TRC was created by the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act to investigate, examine and expose the violent, human rights abuses under apartheid. The goal was not criminal prosecution, but uncovering the truth from victims and perpetrators to prompt a healing conversation among all South Africans. The seventeen commissioners gathered information and took testimony from thousands of victims.

  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission
    This official website includes major legislation, hearings, policy documents, etc. The TRC published a multi-volume report available online or in print at the Wolff Library.
  • Carrots and Sticks: The TRC and the South African Amnesty Process Intl KTL2689 .S23 2004
    Specifically examines the element of amnesty in the TRC such as the legitimacy of amnesty requests and the application of legal criteria
  • Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa: Did the TRC Deliver? Intl DT1974.2 .T775 2008
    This book is based on a six year study and evaluates the TRC examining the victim and amnesty hearings, truth findings, and the public's response to the work of the TRC.