The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established with the passing of the National Unity and Reconciliation Bill. This was preceded by consultations with submissions and proposals, conferences and debates.

Kairos researched and produced reports and databases for the TRC.

These can be found in 2. Detentions and trials. The references are:

2.2.2. Kairos TRC database of torture and deaths.

2.2.4.1. Kairos TRC reports, about torture and torturers.

Kairos recorded a number of the hearings at the TRC. The Kairos Special Report Tapes are seperated and a list is available at Historical Papers, The Library.

Subjects include police, defence force, Civil Co-operation Bureau, ANC, APLA, Inkatha, third force, Natal Midlands, trials, youth, media, church, amnesty, security services, reconciliation, reparations, forgiveness and truth.

Dates refer to the dates on the material. The material is predominantly from 1977 to 2002 with a few earlier items. There are three items from the South African Conciliation Commission of the Anglo Boer/South African War, published in the early 1900s.

This material contains some submissions, decisions, transcripts and amnesty applications, but is predominantly a research and reference resource. Reports, publications, transcripts of speeches, newspaper clippings, conference papers and journal articles deal with the ethical, historical and political context of the TRC.

Unpublished material may only be quoted with the permission of the author.

Three main categories of material are:

Clippings consist of popular newspaper and magazine articles.

Documents include organisational newsletters, Hansard extracts, published and unpublished reports, Amnesty International press alerts and notes.

Publications include government issues of tourist and investment brochures, conference and study papers, publications issued by non-governmental and political groups, copies of legislation, handbooks, publications from international, anti-apartheid organisations and churches.

Records: Amnesty applications, affidavits etc (2 vols) and Heads of Argument 1 vol.