\u00a0\u201cSince World War II numerous Human Rights institutions have been established globally not only to monitor human rights violations but also to issue statements either directly or through the jurisdiction of the United Nations and its different organs of function.\u00a0 The question often arises whether these official bodies are toothless alligators or are they formed as whitewash bodies to play the tunes of the inevitable System, based on an ethos of Consensus Conformity\u201d. [1]<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The United Nations, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.\u00a0 The commitment of the United Nations to human rights stems from the Organization\u2019s founding Charter. The international community has a duty to uphold and defend these rights. Let us ensure that those people who most need their rights protected are made aware that this Declaration exists \u2014 and that it exists for them. Let us each do our part to make these universal rights a living reality for every man, woman and child, everywhere.\u00a0 — BAN Ki-moon Secretary-General. This publication, Part 2, in a series on Human Rights, highlights the significant efforts made by the institutionalisation of Human Rights under the auspices of various official bodies principally the United Nations.\u00a0 In the author\u2019s opinion, only South Africa stands out as a beacon for the propagation of Human Rights, not only by dedicating a special Human Rights Day[2]<\/a>, celebrated on Thursday, 21st<\/sup> March, annually, in South Africa[3]<\/a>, but also in establishing a Human Rights Commission in the country after the dismantling of the colonial, imperialistic, apartheid of the white dominated, minority government, in a peaceful transition, in 1994. The paper further examines how the democratically elected government of South Africa, also actively exposed the atrocities of the apartheid government, by establishing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission[4]<\/a>, which gave the white aggressor an opportunity to literally \u201cconfess\u201d, without any fear of any punitive retribution by the Mandela[5]<\/a>, Democratic Government of the majority.\u00a0 This has not occurred in any country, globally, to any significant extent, let alone a purely non-retributive review of the brutality of the white supremacists in pre-liberation, South Africa. However, in a final analysis, the other global \u201cHuman Rights Custodians\u201d appear to be incompetent in terms of, firstly, \u201cdoing too little, too late\u201d and secondly, being unable to enforce the cessation of ongoing Human Rights, violations, as these are currently in progress, in the War of Gaza, by Israel [6]<\/a>,[7]<\/a>,[8]<\/a>,[9]<\/a>,[10]<\/a>,[11]<\/a>,[12]<\/a>,[13]<\/a>,[14]<\/a>.\u00a0 These Zionists are bent on total genocide and ethnic cleansing of the original residents of the \u201chell on earth, the infamous Gaza Strip\u201d by the brutal, Israeli, occupying forces.\u00a0 Between 07th<\/sup> October 2023 and 11:30 on 29th<\/sup> March 2024, at least 32,623 Palestinians civilians were brutality killed in Gaza and 75,092 Palestinians were injured[15]<\/a>.\u00a0 The ruthless IDF does not even have respect for the raising of the traditional \u201cWhite Flag\u201d by Palestinians, nor for the dead bodies[16]<\/a>, which were removed by a bulldozer[17]<\/a>, as well as the huge, American sponsored and supplied tanks, run over dead, civilian bodies during the war, which Hamas has initiated, claiming back what is rightfully their ancestral land. Israel has occupied the West Bank illegally since 1967[18]<\/a>, and commits various abuses against Palestinian civilians, human rights groups say.\u00a0 More than 600,000 Israeli Jews live in settlements[19]<\/a> in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, in constructions considered illegal under international law.[20]<\/a> The true nature of the \u201ctoothless alligators\u201d [21]<\/a> as the custodians of global Human Rights, has been finally exposed and the hypocrisy, as well as double standards of these institutions have been uncovered, at last.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Definitions: Human Right Commission, Human Right Office and Human Rights Ombudsman, globally.<\/strong><\/p>\n It is relevant to elaborate on the definitions of these important entities related to human rights:<\/p>\n Human Rights Commission<\/strong>[22]<\/a>:<\/p>\n A\u00a0Human Rights Commission\u00a0(also known as a\u00a0Human Relations Commission) is an organization or body established to investigate, promote, or protect human rights. Its primary functions include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Human Rights Office (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights[23]<\/a>)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Human Rights Ombudsman <\/strong>[24]<\/a>:<\/p>\n In summary, these entities play critical roles in upholding and advocating for human rights, both at national and international levels. Their work contributes to a more just and equitable world for all individuals.<\/p>\n A country can indeed have all three regulatory institutions (Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Office, and Human Rights Ombudsman), or it may choose to have a combination of any two. The possibilities:<\/p>\n All Three Institutions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Some countries opt to establish all three institutions to comprehensively address human rights issues:<\/p>\n Human Rights Commission<\/strong>: This body focuses on promoting and protecting human rights, conducting investigations, and raising awareness.<\/p>\n Combination of Two<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Alternatively, a country may choose to have a combination of two of these institutions:<\/p>\n Unique Contexts<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In summary, the configuration of these institutions varies globally, and countries tailor their approach to best serve their citizens and uphold human rights. The situation in South Africa with respect to the above three institutions related to human rights:<\/p>\n The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)<\/strong>:[25]<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0SAHRC<\/strong>\u00a0is a constitutional institution established to promote and protect human rights in South Africa. Its key functions include:<\/p>\n UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in South Africa<\/strong>:[26]<\/a><\/p>\n The\u00a0OHCHR<\/strong>\u00a0provides technical assistance on promoting and protecting human rights in South Africa. Its focus areas include:<\/p>\n Human Rights Ombudsman (Ombudsman)<\/strong>:[27]<\/a><\/p>\n In summary, South Africa has a robust system that includes the SAHRC, which serves as both a commission and an ombudsman-like body and collaborates with the UN Human Rights Office to uphold human rights principles.<\/p>\n After the end of apartheid, as well as the release of political prisoners in the early 90s and the country\u2019s transition from repressive rule to democracy in 1994, South Africa witnessed the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995 which formed a crucial component of the transition to full and free democratic country. The TRC was established by the first democratic president Nelson Mandela under the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act of 1995 and Archbishop Desmond Tutu with Dr Alex Boraine were appointed as its chairperson and vice chairperson respectively. The\u00a0Truth and Reconciliation Commission[28]<\/a> (TRC)<\/strong>\u00a0played a crucial role in South Africa\u2019s transition from apartheid to democracy. Here are the key points about the TRC:<\/p>\n Mandate and Committees<\/strong>:<\/p>\n The TRC operated based on the\u00a0Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, No 34 of 1995<\/strong>. It had three main committees:<\/p>\n Education Assistance for Victims<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Legacy<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Storytelling by Victims of Apartheid at TRC Hearings:<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0impact of storytelling<\/strong>\u00a0by victims during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in South Africa was profound and multifaceted:<\/p>\n Healing and Catharsis<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Humanizing the Past<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Building Empathy and Understanding<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Documenting History<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Accountability and Justice<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Reconciliation and Unity<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In summary, the power of storytelling within the TRC allowed victims to reclaim their voices, educate society, and contribute to a more just and compassionate nation. In the\u00a0Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)<\/strong>\u00a0hearings in South Africa,\u00a0perpetrators<\/strong>\u00a0of violence were also given the opportunity to testify and share their accounts. The TRC was a court-like body assembled after the end of apartheid. Here are the key points regarding perpetrators\u2019 involvement:<\/p>\n Testimony by Perpetrators<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Amnesty Process<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Acknowledgment and Accountability<\/strong>:<\/p>\n International Attention<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In summary, the TRC provided a platform for both victims and perpetrators to contribute to South Africa\u2019s healing process and the quest for truth and justice.\u00a0 It is important to note that the TRC\u2019s efforts were essential in acknowledging the past, promoting reconciliation, and building a more just society in South Africa.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The\u00a0Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)<\/strong>\u00a0in South Africa faced several\u00a0controversial amnesty decisions<\/strong>\u00a0during its proceedings. Here are some notable instances:<\/p>\n African National Congress (ANC) Members<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Apartheid Security Forces<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Balance Between Justice and Reconciliation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Debate Over Apartheid Policies<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In summary, the TRC\u2019s amnesty decisions were fraught with tension, reflecting the delicate balance between justice, reconciliation, and historical reckoning2<\/sup><\/a>3<\/sup><\/a>1<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/HUMAN-RIGHTS-DECLRARTION-SEPIA-2.jpg\")
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Photo Credit:<\/strong> Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 1948<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/TRC-SA-3.jpg\")
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\u00a0In all the TRC was comprised of seventeen commissioners: nine men and eight women and divided into three committees (Human Rights Violations Committee, Amnesty Committee, and Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee).\u00a0 The Human Rights Violations Committee gathered testimony of politically motivated gross human rights abuses; the Amnesty Committee dispensed amnesty to perpetrators who gave “full disclosure” of atrocities they had committed for political ends; lastly, the Reparation and Rehabilitation Committee which sought to recommend to the government a policy for providing long-term reparations for victims, as well as short-term relief payments.
Photo Credit:<\/strong> South African History online<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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