Kadirgamar Institute hosts SL-South Africa joint dialogue on reconciliation
Saturday, 2 November 2013 00:00
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Post conflict reconciliation and ‘In Transformation Initiative’ in South Africa discussed
The Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic studies hosted its first joint seminar with South Africa on Post Conflict Reconciliation in collaboration with the High Commission of Republic of South Africa in Sri Lanka and In Transformation Initiative in South Africa.
The event was held on 25 and 26 October 2013 at the auditorium of the Kadirgamar Institute. The joint dialogue was inaugurated by the Secretary to Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the chief guest.
Six renowned speakers from South Africa shared their experiences with the Sri Lankan participants on topics such as: ‘The meaning of reconciliation’ and ‘History role and purpose of the truth and reconciliation commission and politics of amnesty’.
Several Sri Lankan speakers explained the country’s situation and challenges ahead in transitioning from a prolonged conflict to sustainable peace.
South Africa was successful in ending a brutal civil war and emerged as the economic giant of the African continent. Its successful transition beyond apartheid and its journey towards sustainable reconciliation provides valuable lessons for countries like Sri Lanka who have come out of war.
Common solutions
Speaking at the plenary session, LKIIRSS Executive Director Asanga Abeyagoonesekara stated that it is necessary to find common solutions as one community, so the future will have no borders with the whole of mankind working towards solutions for manmade problems.
He also stated that regardless of the positions that one holds, in times of trouble we need to come together to find a common solutions and processes, to design our own pathway for a progressive society.
The South Africa High Commissioner Doidge, in his introductory remarks, stated that South Africa hopes to share their experiences in a targeted and meaningful way in which the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka are respected.
Furthermore, South Africa will share their vast experiences and best practices to enrich the Sri Lankan process of reconciliation and help in building lasting peace without prescribing a process.
He stated, with reference to South Africa’s transformation, that: “South Africa went from being a pariah state in the eyes of the international community to a vibrant constitutional democracy which has produced one of the world’s most progressive constitutions.”
Insufficient recognition
Prof. G. L. Peiris in his introductory remarks quoted a conversation he had with former Minister of Constitutional Affairs in South Africa Roelf Meyer, where the latter had stated that South Africa made a conscious decision to sort out their own issues without interference from any other state.
He further reiterated that Sri Lanka has not been given “sufficient recognition for a singular achievement” since the end of the war in 2009 there has not been a single incidence of terrorism, which is not common to any other state that has overcome terrorism.
Prof Peiris went on to say that if terrorism had not been eradicated in Sri Lanka it would have been a threat to the entire region and that its eradication has benefitted humanity in a broader scale.
Opening the session on 25 October on the theme of Reconciliation: Transition towards Sustainable Peace, the moderator for the session Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, quoted the great South African leader Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,” setting the background to the discussion.
Acknowledging the commendable success of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Dr. Mahanamahewa stated the applicability of the same model to every society should be carefully examined.
Secretary Ministry of Social Services and former Government Agent in Jaffna Emelda Sukumar spoke on the role of the Ministry of Social Services in restoring the lives of the affected and providing social protection for vulnerable populations.
She explained the initiatives taken by the government during the past few years. These range from immediate humanitarian assistance to long-term development. She also spoke on the government measures in de-mining, rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex-combatants. She further spoke on the government’s role in providing economic and infrastructure development, poverty alleviation and livelihood support to restore the lives of the affected.
Role of the church
Retired Director General of the office of President Mbeki and a victim and survivor of apartheid in South Africa Rev. Chikane spoke on the topic ‘The Role of the religious sector in transition through embracing diversity and religious tolerance’.
The Reverend spoke of the role religious institutions played in South Africa’s transition. He emphasised that the religious community would have not been able to achieve reconciliation in the community if not for the support given by the political leaders.
In order to build a mechanism for reconciliation, there should be a willingness of the political leaders and they should agree on common principles. The role of the church in reconciliation in South Africa is widely appreciated internationally.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the catalyst body which transformed the conflicted society to a sustainable one, was an outcome of the collaboration between the religious community and the political leaders.
He further reiterated that even though the churches played a commendable role in post-apartheid South Africa in bringing peace, the same church had once been the promoters of apartheid.
South Africa was once a colony under the British rule. Hence, the colonial racist system which dominated the South African society was reflected in the politics of Churches. Thus, Rev. Chikane explained that they not only had to struggle against the cruelty of the apartheid government, but they also had to struggle within the church system.
“The key to solve any problem is to make your interest the interest of the enemy. Reconciliation along with justice would not last if you do not deal with the pain. Reparation and healing are equally important to maintain a sustainable peace.”
Secretary to the Presidential Task Force on Resettlement, Development and Security S.B. Divaratne gave an overview of the operational strategies for reconciliation. He stated that the Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities have all suffered as a result of the conflict. He cited the example of the Sinhalese being among the first to leave the North and Eastern provinces due to the ethnic cleansing by the LTTE.
Divaratne went on to say that the as a result of the protracted conflict, two challenges have arisen that need to be addressed; firstly the need to address the root causes of the conflict and find solutions accepted by all communities and secondly, the need to dispel suspicion and build confidence among all communities to live as a nation.
Transitional justice
Extraordinary Professor of Law, at the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a member of the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Prof. Jeremy Sarkin spoke on the topic of ‘Transitional processes and finding ways for a nation to deal with its past’.
He stated that the South African model of transition is seen as the ideal model for sustainable reconciliation but it is not applicable to every society. One has to come up with their own module to suit the context of that society and can learn from the mistakes and best practices of the other modules. There are different tools of transitional justice; prosecution, truth commissions, reparation, reconciliation, whatever method used the process should align with international standards.
Transitional justice guarantees non-repetition of past mistakes. Truth commissions record what has happened and are a platform for victims to share their painful experiences.
On 26 October, the closed door discussions were followed by a valedictory session in which Arun Tambimuttu spoke on the topic Sri Lanka’s ethnic politics and challenges to national reconciliation.
He discussed how Sri Lanka can follow South Africa in its administration of a unitary government system instead of one based on ethnic lines and he also stated that the war crimes should investigated for the whole period of the conflict and not emphasis only at the end of the war.
Rev. Frank Chikane spoke of the need to include everyone in the reconciliation process and how every conflict has its own historical roots and is complex with one exception being that everyone loses loved ones.
Dr. Mahanamahewa gave the concluding remarks by stating that the South African experience is important, but we cannot implement the model as it is. Sri Lanka needs a home-grown reconciliation model; he said that memorialisation is one of the important aspects of reconciliation.
The South African High Commissioner in his concluding remarks stated: “It is not easy to take everyone with you in a journey of transformation, no one can write your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hand. You have to be aware of what is happening in the international arena.” He went on to say: “There are more opportunities for Sri Lanka than negativities. It is not a lost cause.”
