page_title: Truth and Justice Commission
section_title: Activities of the Commission
hierarchical_section_title: Truth and Justice Commission / Activities of the Commission
caption_attribution_description: English: Slave Collar from the Mauritius.
context_page_description: The Truth and Justice Commission of Mauritius was an independent truth commission established in 2009, which explored the impact of slavery and indentured servitude in Mauritius. The Commission was tasked to investigate the dispossession of land, and “determine appropriate measures to be extended to descendants of slaves and indentured laborers.” It was “unique in that it [dealt] with socio-economic class abuses" and explored the possibility of reparations. The inclusion of reparations, whether for individuals or communities, was a controversial decision within the country which aimed to correct inequality. The Commission attempted to cover more than 370 years, the longest period of time that a truth commission has ever covered.
  The Commission consisted of five members who were appointed by the then President Sir Anerood Jugnauth. The President selected Alex Boraine, the former deputy chair of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and four Mauritians to oversee the research and publication of a document consisting of seven volumes, and detailing over three centuries of Mauritian history.
context_section_description: In order to carry out its mandate the Commission "focused on three aspects: History; consequences, and how to achieve a more just society." To understand the 'Truth' of the past the Commission adopted the perspective of public historians, choosing to understand the perception of truth in Mauritian society, over a traditional historical understanding of the past often changing with new data. The commission conducted interviews, archival research, archival digs, and hearings while conducting their research, largely acting as oral historians.
  The Commission sought the impute of all members of the public, asking those who wished to participate to submit notices. Over 400 cases relevant to the mandate were received, resulting in 230 hearings spanning 2 years. While conducting inquiries the Commission, wishing to streamline the process, identified 9 areas of interest to be researched. The areas were:
  Slave Trade and Indentured Immigration
  The Economics of slavery and indenture
  Land Issues
  Culture, Ethnicity, and Identity
  Health
  Education
  Demographic history and spatial distribution
  Monitoring and Communication of the Commission
  The territories of Rodrigues, Agalega, and Chagos.
  Originally scheduled to complete their report in June 2011 the Commission requested an extension to September, then October, and finally to completion on 25 November 2011. The delay was primarily due to administrative problems experienced while finalizing the report.
caption: Collar worn by slaves.
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