Editor: Nancy Bartlett
This issue of Comma features proceedings from a groundbreaking session of CITRA, that saw a resolution on human rights violations and archives that led to the formation of the ICA Human Rights Working Group (predecessor to the ICA Section on Archives and Human Rights, or SAHR). In addition to several fascinating presentations on topics connecting archives and human rights, this issue also includes the transcript of a keynote speech given by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African leader and legendary human rights activist, on Liberation, Reconciliation, and the Importance of the Record. In his capacity as former chair and commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Tutu’s speech is an evocative reflection on the painful yet sorely needed service archives provide us as records of institutional injustice. Records are vital in providing the evidence needed not only to seek justice and hold authorities to account, but also to remind us all of our collective responsibility—as well as our particular duty as archives and records professionals—to remain vigilant to and speak out against the conditions that can lead such injustices to be repeated.
“The records are crucial to hold us accountable… They are a potent bulwark against human rights violations. We must remember our past so we do not repeat it.”
