South Africa and Rwanda are two African countries that have experienced conflict and applied different reconciliation approaches. Apartheid rule in South Africa involved a system of racial separation and discrimination that governed the country from 1948 to 1994. The National Party (NP) had built the apartheid model as way for them to preserve the superiority of the white in South Africa. Individuals within the country were categorized based on their color or race. During this period inhumane policies were used to maintain the dominance of the white racial groups within South Africa. Some of these policies include denying the right of individual liberty and life, dividing the population based on race and the exploitation of blacks within the …show more content…
“People who suffer the consequence of political repression and war often demand justice” (Rigby, 2001). The challenge that came with this demand for reconciliation lied in how justice to the victims of genocide and repression was administered. After the genocide in Rwanda, a judicial system of conflict resolution was applied. The four main types of courts that were established were: military courts, national courts, Gacaca courts and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). The United Nations set up the ICTR to indict individuals carrying the greatest responsibility. Also, they wanted the main organizers of genocide to confront the victims. Rwanda’s national courts were left to deal with the remaining …show more content…
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in South Africa to promote restorative justice after the abolition of apartheid rule. This was viewed as an important tool. When South Africa was transitioning towards become a more free democratic state, having this commissions truly helped them. Victims of the horrible violation that happened were allowed to issue their statements on their experiences. This victims were able to see the face of the offenders and let them know all the pain they had caused them. Though this trails, victims and witnesses were selected for public hearings. Perpetrators of the violence were also allowed to give their testimony and request amnesty from prosecution. Despite having this opportunity, some of them seemed regretful while others did not. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission had three main committees on human rights violations: The Amnesty Committee, the Committee on Reparation and the Rehabilitation Committee (Gibson,