The Truth Commission as a Tool for Accessing and Disseminating Information: Realization of the Right to Truth in Post-Conflict Societies

Abstract

An important attribute of present-day society is the ability to make sense of past conflicts and prevent future ones on the basis of such reflections. A central tool in this regard has been the right to truth, realizing which enables the public to not only learn about mass and gross human rights violations and their perpetrators but also seek guarantees that there will be no repeat of such events in the future. Institutionally, the right to truth is realized both via international and domestic legal procedures and through the use of various investigative and quasi-investigative commissions. The latter include truth commissions. The foundational principles underlying the operation of truth commissions were developed by UN specialists, with the basic idea being to establish such commissions in post-conflict societies as independent entities, provide them with access to all relevant documents and victims, and supply them with all necessary financial and operational support. To gain an insight into models for the formation and operation of truth commissions, an analysis was conducted of the activity of the Study Commission for Working Through the History and the Consequences of the SED Dictatorship in Germany, the Yugoslav Truth and Reconciliation Commission (both representing Europe), the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Africa), and the Truth Commission for El Salvador (Latin America). The conclusion drawn from the study is that each of these commissions has been criticized for inefficient activity, despite differences in the fulfillment of their recommendations. Truth commissions formed of local specialists tend to enjoy a higher level of support from the public. The realization of the commissions' recommendations tends to depend on there being political will and to be possible only under pressure from the international community and a state's civil society.