The Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission: legitimacy, political negotiation and the consequences of slavery

Article


Croucher, R., Houssart, M. and Michel, D. 2017. The Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission: legitimacy, political negotiation and the consequences of slavery. African Journal of International and Comparative Law. 25 (3), pp. 326-346. https://doi.org/10.3366/ajicl.2017.0198
TypeArticle
TitleThe Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission: legitimacy, political negotiation and the consequences of slavery
AuthorsCroucher, R., Houssart, M. and Michel, D.
Abstract

We examine the origins, processes and outcomes of the Mauritian Truth and Justice Commission’s (MTJC), examination of slavery, indentured labour and their contemporary effects. It has not been considered a success by any commentator. We therefore ask how far James L. Gibson’s application of legitimacy theory to ‘Truth Commissions’ has purchase in this context and whether it was cynically motivated. We use MTJC documentation, extensive interviews and newspaper reports to show that Gibson’s theory provides insight into MTJC outcomes while demonstrating that politico-economic power structures were crucial. Conversely, the MTJC does not sit easily in Van Zyl’s ‘cynical operation’ category.

KeywordsSlavery; Civic Engagement; Historical Memory; Human Rights; Mauritius; Africa.
PublisherEdinburgh University Press
JournalAfrican Journal of International and Comparative Law
ISSN0954-8890
Publication dates
Online01 Jul 2017
Print01 Aug 2017
Publication process dates
Deposited05 Apr 2016
Accepted16 Mar 2016
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
Copyright Statement

This is an Author’s Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Edinburgh University Press in African Journal of International and Comparative Law. The Version of Record is available online at: http://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/ajicl.2017.0198

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3366/ajicl.2017.0198
LanguageEnglish
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