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How did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) deal with perpetrators such as Brian Mitchell? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Question 2
How did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) deal with perpetrators such as Brian Mitchell? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that f... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:How did the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) deal with perpetrators such as Brian Mitchell? Study Sources 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D and answer the questions that follow - NSC History - Question 2 - 2019 - Paper 2
Step 1
What, according to the source, were the reasons for the formation of the TRC?
Answer
The formation of the TRC was aimed at addressing the atrocities of the past by creating a platform for investigation into gross violations of human rights, providing accountability for perpetrators, and fostering reconciliation in a divided society.
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Comment on what you think was implied by the statement, ‘Amnesty therefore became the price for peace’, in the context of the TRC.
Answer
This statement implies that in order to achieve peace and reconciliation, both the perpetrators and victims had to navigate the difficult process of amnesty. It suggests a transactional nature of justice, where the suffering of the victims can lead to an environment where perpetrators are granted forgiveness in exchange for truth-telling.
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain what motivated Judge Andrew Wilson to grant Brian Mitchell amnesty.
Answer
Judge Andrew Wilson motivated by the understanding that Mitchell's actions were politically motivated and were seen as part of a larger struggle during apartheid, as well as due to the belief that disclosure was important for reconciliation.
Step 8
Comment on why you think that members of the Trust Feed community were unhappy when Brian Mitchell was granted amnesty.
Answer
Members of the Trust Feed community may have been unhappy because granting amnesty to Brian Mitchell could be perceived as a betrayal, allowing someone who caused them pain to evade full accountability for his actions.
Step 9
Explain the message that is conveyed in the cartoon. Use the visual clues in the source to support your answer.
Answer
The cartoon likely conveys a message of irony or criticism regarding the TRC's amnesty approach, as it may depict the 'washing powder' as a metaphor for the way past crimes are sanitized or overlooked, raising questions about accountability.
Step 10
What do you think is implied by the words, ‘ONCE-OFF OFFER’ in the context of the amnesty process of the TRC?
Answer
The phrase ‘ONCE-OFF OFFER’ suggests that amnesty was offered as a singular opportunity, perhaps indicating that those who didn't come forward would lose their chance for legal forgiveness, thereby creating pressure on individuals to confess.
Step 11
Explain how the information in Source 2B supports the information in Source 2C regarding Brian Mitchell’s appearance before the TRC.
Answer
Source 2B details the nature of the crimes Brian Mitchell committed, illustrating the severity of his actions, which complements the depiction in Source 2C of the public’s discontent with how the TRC handled such cases during hearings.
Step 12
Why, according to the source, were members of the Trust Feed community unwilling to meet Brian Mitchell? Give TWO reasons.
Answer
Members of the Trust Feed community were unwilling to meet Brian Mitchell because:
- They felt he did not take responsibility for his actions.
- Many viewed him as a reminder of their trauma and suffering.
Step 13
Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why: Some members of the Trust Feed community did not forgive Brian Mitchell for the role he played in the killing of political activists.
Answer
Some members did not forgive him because they believed that his actions directly contributed to the loss of lives and suffering within their community, feeling that no amount of amnesty could justify his past actions.
Step 14
Using the information in the source and your own knowledge, explain why: Some members of the Trust Feed community forgave Brian Mitchell for the role he played in the killing of political activists.
Answer
Some community members forgave him as part of a healing process, believing that reconciliation was essential for moving forward and that individuals like Mitchell should be allowed to seek redemption.
Step 15
Comment on how you would regard the information in this source when researching the amnesty process of the TRC.
Answer
This source provides valuable insights into the complexities of the amnesty process, highlighting the varying perspectives of communities affected by violence and how reconciliation is shaped by personal narratives.
Step 16
Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission dealt with perpetrators such as Brian Mitchell.
Answer
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission provided a platform for perpetrators like Brian Mitchell to confess their crimes in exchange for amnesty. This controversial approach aimed to uncover the truth behind human rights violations during apartheid. However, it faced criticism from victims' families who felt it undermined justice. While the TRC facilitated dialogue and healing, the uneven emotional responses from various communities reflected the challenges in reconciling past grievances with the need for peace.