Hello joeshua-ga,
This was a very interesting research project that took me on a
worldwide tour of some of the saddest spots in the world. As you said
in your question, the emergence of truth and reconciliation
commissions as a method to resolve problems of national atrocities and
to help resolve conflicts in new and innovative ways presents us with
new ways of looking at the world. There is a wealth of information to
help you answer all of the questions you?ve raised.
I?ve organized the material I?ve collected into the categories you?ve
set up. There are wonderful resources for reviewing the work and
impact of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission and
the websites I?ve included will give you the pointers you?re looking
for. It?s up to you how deep you want to go in following these
pointers. The South Africa TRC is also used as a benchmark for
comparison in many of the studies and articles evaluating the work of
other TRCs worldwide.
You asked, ?Are there other examples of commissions that encompasses
similar problems ???. My research uncovered a huge variety of
commissions, including the first one in the US. I?ve included some
pages for research tanks, humanitarian organizations or other portal
sites that offer a rich variety of resources on worldwide commissions
as well as reports on specific commissions.
Finding information about the metrics and methods of evaluation for
the work of the various truth commissions proved more difficult. The
specific reports on individual truth commissions will sometimes
include statistics on what work was accomplished but there are no
universal standards for tasks or goals for these organizations much
less to evaluate what was accomplished. I managed to find a good
collection of articles that discusses the problem of evaluating the
work of these commissions, including articles that make an attempt to
apply their own criteria to help you draw your own conclusions.
As you requested, the research I?ve provided will give you a good
overview and help you get the big picture and should give you lots of
pointers for continuing the exploration on your own. If you can
squeeze in the time before your departure for South Africa you should
be able to get a good foundation for meeting your hosts and continuing
your learning in the community once you get there.
You indicated that this is your ?1st time to Answers so I'm not sure
how to price this.? I spent several hours on the research because I
wanted to make sure you got what you need. Here are the guidelines for
Google Answers Pricing as well as a User?s Guide to Google Answers
procedures. Follow the instructions to adjust the price if you think
this is appropriate. Alternately, you can add a tip when you rate my
answer if you think my question deserves more than the original posted
price. Researchers get 75% of the posted question price or 100% of the
tip.
http://answers.google.com/answers/pricing.html
Google Answers: How to price your question
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html
What to do after you ask a question on Google Answers
It was a pleasure to conduct this research. I hope that you will find
it useful and that you will come back to Google Answers for future
research projects.
Bon Voyage!
~ czh ~
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION ? SOUTH AFRICA
==================================================
http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/
The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was set up
by the Government of National Unity to help deal with what happened
under apartheid. The conflict during this period resulted in violence
and human rights abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped
these abuses.
The TRC is based on the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation
Act, No 34 of 1995.
The TRC effects its mandate through 3 committees: the Amnesty
Committee, Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) Committee and Human
Rights Violations (HRV) Committee. The Commission is currently in
suspension while the work of the Amnesty Committee is completed. The
remaining work of the R&R and HRV Committees has been designated to
the former chairs of those Committees, and now forms part of the
Amnesty Committee.
***** This is the place to start to familiarize yourself with all
aspects of the background, workings and accomplishments of the TRC. A
few of the links don?t work but most of the site makes fascinating
reading and will give you lots of leads for continuing your own
explorations.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/trccom.htm
THE COMMITTEES OF THE TRC
Human Rights Violations (HRV) Committee
The task of the HRV Committee was to investigate human rights abuses
that took place between 1960 and 1994, based on statements made to the
TRC. The Committee established the identity of the victims, their fate
or present whereabouts, and the nature and extent of the harm they
have suffered; and whether the violations were the result of
deliberate planning by the state or any other organisation, group or
individual. Once victims of gross human rights violations are
identified, they are referred to the Reparation and Rehabilitation
Committee.
Reparation and Rehabilitation (R&R) Committee
The enabling act empowered the R&R Committee to provide victim support
to ensure that the Truth Commission process restores victims' dignity;
and to formulate policy proposals and recommendations on
rehabilitation and healing of survivors, their families and
communities at large. The envisaged overall function of all
recommendations is to ensure non repetition, healing and healthy
co-existence. A President's Fund, funded by Parliament and private
contributions, has been established to pay urgent interim reparation
to victims in terms of the regulations prescribed by the President.
Amnesty Committee (AC)
The primary function of the AC is to consider that applications for
amnesty were done in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Applicants could apply for amnesty for any act, omission or offence
associated with a political objective committed between 1 March 1960
to 6 December 1993. The cut-off date was later extended to 11 May
1994. The final date for the submission of applications was 30
September 1997. Being granted amnesty for an act means that the
perpetrator is free from prosecution for that particular act.
***** Follow the links to read the policy documents and workshop
transcripts for each of these committees.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/legal/act9534.htm
NO. 34 OF 1995: PROMOTION OF NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION ACT, 1995.
***** You can read the legislation behind the TRC at this site.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.csvr.org.za
Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) is a
multi-disciplinary South African non-governmental organisation. Since
its inception in 1989, the CSVR has been dedicated to making a
meaningful contribution to peaceful and fundamental transformation in
South Africa, and in the Southern African region.
***** This is another comprehensive site that should give you the
opportunity to explore all facets of the post-apartheid developments.
The Links are especially worth reviewing.
====================================
RECONCILIATION COMMISSIONS WORLDWIDE
====================================
http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/home/about/
INCORE (International Conflict Research) was set up in 1993 by the
University of Ulster and the United Nations University to undertake
research and policy work that is useful to the resolution of ethnic,
political and religious conflicts.
Currently, INCORE's research focuses mainly on post conflict issues,
issues of governance and diversity, and research methodology in
violent societies.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/cds/themes/truth.html
INCORE guide to internet sources on Truth and Reconciliation
Version 3/02 (December 2002)
http://www.incore.ulst.ac.uk/cds/countries/index.html
INCORE Internet Country Guides
Our targeted audience includes: academics and others who are
researching ethnic conflict, particularly those who live in conflict
areas; policy makers, especially in the United Nations system;
mediation practitioners in conflict areas; and the media. We offer
information on a variety of conflicts in the world in the form of
Country Guides. Existing guides are regularly updated and new guides
added to the service. At present we have guides to 43 different
countries from around the world.
***** INCORE is a research tank that offers lots of resources and
links to help you explore this topic further and will give you lots of
pointers for you research.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=30&ItemID=5001
February 17, 2004
Creation of First Truth and Reconciliation Commission in USA Begins
U.S. Truth Commission
The first Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in the United
States is being created in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Greensboro
Truth and Community Reconciliation Project (GTCRP), although
extra-governmental, is building broad community support that includes
local public officials and clergy people. Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
Chair of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, met
with the Project's Local Task Force in April 2003 and endorsed the
Project.
The GTCRP reached a milestone on Feb. 9, 2004 with the seating of a
Selection Panel that will appoint commissioners.
Once appointed, commissioners will examine the November 3, 1979
shooting deaths of five anti-racist community activists, who were
organizing black and white workers in area textile mills and
hospitals. The five were assassinated death squad style by Klansmen
and Neo-Nazis in the light of day, before rolling TV cameras. Ten
others were wounded in the attack that took place in a black housing
project as an anti-Klan march was forming. Greensboro has been living
in the shadow of this civil rights atrocity ever since.
http://www.gtcrp.org/
The Greensboro Truth & Community Reconciliation Project
****** This report shows that truth and reconciliation commissions can
be applied to many different kinds of community conflicts andinjuries.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.easttimor-reconciliation.org/
Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor
MANDATE
Purpose: The Commission is an independent statutory authority that
will inquire into human rights violations committed on all sides,
between April 1974 and October 1999, and facilitate community
reconciliation with justice for those who committed less serious
offenses. The Commission will not give amnesty.
Structure: The Commission is headed by 7 National Commissioners. In
addition to a national office, the Commission has 6 regional offices,
headed by 29 Regional Commissioners. Commission offices are staffed
by East Timorese, and supported by a small number of international
technical experts.
Functions:
The Commission has three main functions:
1. Truth Seeking: The Commission will seek the truth regarding human
rights violations in East Timor within the context of the political
conflicts between 25 April 1974 and 25 October 1999. The Commission
will establish a truth-telling mechanism for victims and perpetrators
to describe, acknowledge, and record human rights abuses of the past.
2. Community Reconciliation: The Commission will facilitate
community reconciliation by dealing with past cases of lesser crimes
such as looting, burning and minor assault. In each case, a panel
comprised of a Regional Commissioner and local community leaders will
mediate between victims and perpetrators to reach agreement on an act
of reconciliation to be carried out by the perpetrator.
3. Recommendations to Government: The Commission will report on its
findings and make recommendations to the government for further action
on reconciliation and the promotion of human rights.
***** This is a very comprehensive website with up-to-date information
and links to additional resources.
-------------------------------------------------
http://gtrc911.quaker.org/
Global Truth And Reconciliation Commission (GTRC)
The first priority of the Global Truth And Reconciliation Commission
(GTRC) effort, is to call upon people to stimulate their thoughts and
actions toward meeting the minimum needs of all the people of the
world.
***** This site is sponsored by a Quaker group. It offers papers and
resources on the topics of Social Justice and the Millennium
Development Compact.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.un.org/icty/
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
ORIGIN: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
(ICTY) was established by Security Council resolution 827. This
resolution was passed on 25 May 1993 in the face of the serious
violations of international humanitarian law committed in the
territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991, and as a response to
the threat to international peace and security posed by those serious
violations.
SEAT: The ICTY is located in The Hague, The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVES : In harmony with the purpose of its founding resolution,
the ICTY's mission is fourfold:
-- to bring to justice persons allegedly responsible for serious
violations of international humanitarian law
-- to render justice to the victims
-- to deter further crimes
-- to contribute to the restoration of peace by promoting
reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia.
***** This is a very comprehensive website that gives you information
about the cases handled by this court.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.antar.org.au/
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation is an independent,
national network of mainly non-Indigenous organisations and
individuals working in support of justice for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
ANTaR coordinates a major community education and awareness campaign
on native title and reconciliation.
Much of ANTaR's work is carried out by peak state and territory ANTaRs
and by numerous local groups. This includes activities focused at a
grass-roots level - local reconciliation initiatives which are carried
out in conjunction with local Indigenous groups and other members of
the local community. There are in excess of 200 local ANTaR groups.
***** This site uses frames so you will have to click on the link for
Issues and follow it to Reconciliation and related issues.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a term which refers to a process whereby Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples, non-Indigenous Australians and the
nation of Australia can forge a new relationship based on mutual
understanding, recognition and respect.
The Reconciliation process began in 1991 with the formation of the
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, mandated under legislation
which set a 10 year timeframe to advance a national process of
reconciliation. The Council's formation was an acknowledgment of the
past and ongoing failure of government policy to recognise and address
the cultural, social and economic needs of Indigenous Australians. It
was also a recognition that progress also required a sea change in the
understanding and involvement of non-Indigenous Australians.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.reconciliationaustralia.org/
http://www.reconciliationaustralia.org/aboutus/whatis.html
Reconciliation Australia is the body established to provide a
continuing national focus for reconciliation following the end of the
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in December 2000.
***** This is a fairly comprehensive site that will help you gain
insights into the Australian reconciliation picture. It is not very
well organized so you should click on most of the links to find the
information about the history and accomplishments of various
reconciliation projects.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/IndigLRes/car/
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Archive
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established as a
statutory authority on 2 September 1991 when the Council for
Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991 received the Royal Assent.
***** The comprehensive archives at this site will give you a
tremendous amount of information. They are closely related to the
sister site at Reconciliation Australia.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.truthcommission.org/links.php?lang=en
Truth Commission Reports
-- The recommendations of the Argentine Commission, CONADEP.
-- Report of the Chilean National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in Spanish.
-- Summary of the Chilean National Truth and Reconciliation
Commission (see above), in English.
-- Excerpt of the UN El Salvadoran Truth Commission report; details
on Salvadoran Death Squads
-- The South African TRC report.
-- Guatemalan Clarification Commission report (on the American
Association for the Advancement of Science website), in Spanish.
-- English version of the summary of the Guatemalan Clarification
Commission report (see above).
***** Follow the links to review the work of the listed truth commissions.
-------------------------------------------------
http://shr.aaas.org/guatemala/ceh/report/english/toc.html
Guatemalan Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH)
The Commission for Historical Clarification (CEH) was established
through the Accord of Oslo on 23 June 1994, in order to clarify with
objectivity, equity and impartiality, the human rights violations and
acts of violence connected with the armed confrontation that caused
suffering among the Guatemalan people. The Commission was not
established to judge ? that is the function of the courts of law ? but
rather to clarify the history of the events of more than three decades
of fratricidal war.
***** See Section III. Peace and Reconciliation.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.derechos.org/nizkor/salvador/informes/truth.html
Report of the UN Truth Commission on El Salvador
Between 1980 and 1991, the Republic of El Salvador in Central America
was engulfed in a war which plunged Salvadorian society into violence,
left it with thousands and thousands of people dead and exposed it to
appalling crimes, until the day - 16 January 1992 - when the parties,
reconciled, signed the Peace Agreement in the Castle of Chapultepec,
Mexico, and brought back the light and the chance to re-emerge from
madness to hope.
***** Detailed and long report.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.healingthroughremembering.org/
Healing through Remembering ? Northern Ireland
vision statement
An acknowledgement of the events connected with the conflict in and
about Northern Ireland, and in so doing, individually and collectively
to have contributed to an understanding of, and the healing of, the
wounds of society.
mission statement
The Project seeks to identify and document possible mechanisms and
realisable options for healing through remembering for those people
affected by the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. Building on a
range of previous and current local, national and international
initiatives, including discussions with experts, the Project will
undertake a range of in-depth discussions with organisations,
communities, politicians and individuals on the issues of
truth-telling and healing.
***** This site provides references about the aftermath of the
conflicts in Northern Ireland.
==============================================
RECONCILIATION COMMISSIONS ? GENERAL RESOURCES
==============================================
http://www.truthcommission.org/
http://www.truthcommission.org/about.php?lang=en
Learning from Existing Commissions to Inform Future Efforts
Welcome to the Truth Commissions Project, a collaboration between the
Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School Search for Common
Ground (an international NGO based in Washington, D.C.), and the
European Centre for Common Ground (in Brussels). We have combined our
resources and interests to identify the best research that has been
done to date on five key Truth Commissions, and to present it in a
format that will be usable by decision-makers in designing future
Commissions.
*****
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.brandonhamber.com/index.htm
Brandon Hamber ? Researcher, Writer, Consultant
Brandon Hamber is a clinical psychologist. who was born in South
Africa and now works in Belfast on various projects dealing with
reconciliation. Before moving to Belfast he was involved with the
South African TRC.
***** This is one of the best starting points for your research. You
can pick any link from the menu and find a wealth of information about
all facets of the questions you?ve raised. The Resources are
especially relevant. Mr. Hamber?s weblog presents a more personal
perspective on these issues.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.c-r.org/about/index.shtml
Conciliation Resources
An International Service for Conflict Prevention and Resolution
CR aims to provide practical and sustained assistance to people and
groups in areas of armed conflict or potential violence. We
specifically work with those working at community or national levels
to prevent violence or transform conflict into opportunities for
social, economic and political development based on more just
relationships.
***** This site offers reports on work in Angola, Caucasus, Fiji,
Uganda and West Africa as well as past projects. It also publishes a
magazine.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.peacemakers.ca/index.html
Peacemakers Trust is a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to
research and education on conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
http://www.peacemakers.ca/bibliography/bib26reconciliation.html
Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: A Selected Bibliography
Reconciliation and Transitional Justice
This page is under construction, and suggestions would be appreciated.
See also the bibliography pages on Apology and Forgiveness,
Restorative Justice, Religious Perspectives on Conflict Resolution,
International Conflict, Indigenous Peoples and Conflict Resolution and
other pages.
***** This is a comprehensive bibliography that will give you lots of
leads for offline reading and exploration.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.brandonhamber.com/resources_trc.htm
DEALING WITH THE PAST & TRUTH COMMISSIONS INTERNET RESOURCES
Compiled by Brandon Hamber
***** This is an outstanding collection of resources.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.ictj.org/
International Center for Transitional Justice
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) assists
countries pursuing accountability for mass atrocity or human rights
abuse.
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) assists
countries pursuing accountability for mass atrocity or human rights
abuse. The Center works in societies emerging from repressive rule or
armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical
injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved. It provides
comparative information, legal and policy analysis, documentation, and
strategic research to justice and truth-seeking institutions,
nongovernmental organizations, governments and others. The ICTJ
assists in the development of strategies for transitional justice
comprising five key elements: prosecuting perpetrators, documenting
violations through nonjudicial means such as truth commissions,
reforming abusive institutions, providing reparations to victims, and
advancing reconciliation. The Center is committed to building local
capacity and generally strengthening the emerging field of
transitional justice, and works closely with organizations and experts
around the world to do so.
***** This is another major resource site for your enquiry. See
especially the links for Current Activity and Research.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.usip.org/library/truth.html
United States Institute of Peace -- Library & Links
Truth Commissions Digital Collection
Generally, truth commissions are bodies established to research and
report on human rights abuses over a certain period of time in a
particular country or in relation to a particular conflict. Truth
commissions allow victims, their relatives and perpetrators to give
evidence of human rights abuses, providing an official forum for their
accounts. In most instances, truth commissions are also required by
their mandate to provide recommendations on steps to prevent a
recurrence of such abuses. They are created, vested with authority,
sponsored, and/or funded by governments, international organizations,
or both.
Truth commissions exist for a designated period of time, have a
specific mandate, exhibit a variety of organizational arrangements,
and adopt a range of processes and procedures, with the goal of
producing and disseminating a final report, including conclusions and
recommendations. Ultimately, the goals of such commissions are to
contribute to end and account for past abuses of authority, to promote
national reconciliation and/or bolster a new political order or
legitimize new policies.
Closely related to truth commissions are commissions of inquiry into
specific events, more narrowly circumscribed by duration, location
and/or individuals involved. Similarly, a few nongovernmental human
rights investigations have adopted truth commission-like roles in
countries in the midst of political transition.
***** This site provides links to truth commissions in Argentina,
Bolivia, Chad, Chile, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany,
Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Panama, Peru,
Phillipines, Serbia and Montenegro (formerly Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia), Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka,
Uganda, Uruguay, Zimbabwe.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.transnational.org/sitemap.html
The Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research
http://www.transnational.org/forum/meet/2001/ReconProject.html
Supporting Reconciliation and Forgiveness
An Ongoing Study of Processes and Policies and the Feasibility of
Developing Action Research Networks in Conflict Regions
This study has two interrelated dimensions: a) to analyse and discuss
reconciliation and forgiveness processes and policies in theory and in
practise in conflict areas; and b) to define a framework for the
establishment of a network of reconciliation and forgiveness
action-research centres in a series of possible locations around the
world. Based on visits and consultations with relevant parties, it
will outline modalities, describe possible research and training
orientation and elements of planning reconciliation and forgiveness
processes at each location.
***** This organization offers a wide range of resources for further exploration.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado
***** This site offers a half dozen self-directed online courses in
various aspects of conflict resolution.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/index.html
International Online Training Program on Intractable Conflict
Conflict Management and Constructive Confrontation:
A Guide to the Theory and Practice
The International Online Training Program on Intractable Conflicts is
focused around 100 short descriptions of common conflict problems with
200 possible solutions and 300 examples. While the contents of the
OTPIC program are free for public use, students may also choose to
complete a formalized course of online study for university credit or
a certificate of completion.
***** This is a wonderful self-study program for anyone interested in
this difficult subject.
============================================
MEASURING RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OUTCOMES
============================================
http://www.law.harvard.edu/programs/hrp/Publications/truth1.html
TRUTH COMMISSIONS: A COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT
An Interdisciplinary Discussion Held at Harvard Law School in May 1996
***** Although this report is somewhat dated, the topics presented
give you a good overview for measuring the work done by the various
truth commissions.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.hrw.org/editorials/2001/justice0430.htm
The Nation, April 30, 2001
Justice: The First Casualty of Truth?
The global movement to end impunity for human rights abuses faces a
daunting question.
***** This is a long article that gives a good overview of the trends
in the use of truth and reconciliation commissions and the problems
that have emerged with their use.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.worldpeacefoundation.org/truthcommissions.html
Projects: Truth Commissions and Conflict Prevention
This four-year-old project has produced a report and transcript (Henry
J. Steiner, ed. Truth Commissions: A Comparative Assessment, WPF
Report 16 (1997) and an edited book (Robert I. Rotberg and Dennis
Thompson, Truth v. Justice: The Morality of Truth Commissions,
Princeton University Press, 2000). The project continues to examine
the many ways in which the concept of a truth commission, and the
actual establishment of truth commissions in conflict-prone regions,
can contribute to the peaceful prevention of intrastate hostilities.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972103309/qid%3D1030049317/sr%3D1-4/ref%3Dsr%5F1%5F4/103-3910578-0320667
Truth Commissions: A Comparative Assessment (WPF Report #16)
by Henry J. Steiner (Editor)
***** This report discusses how the work of truth commissions might be measured.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.dec.org/pdf_docs/pnaby177.pdf
The United States Agency for International Development
Development Experience Clearinghouse
The Truth about Truth Commissions
***** This is an 11-page report from March, 1996.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.apt.ch/americas/mexico/Executive%20Summary.pdf
Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT)
Truth Commissions: An Uncertain Path
***** This is a 42-page report comparing the work of truth commissions
in Argentina, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala and South Africa.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.opendemocracy.net/debates/article-5-76-764.jsp
Truth or dare? Truth commissions between old and new nations
21 - 11 - 2002
Truth and reconciliation commissions are one of the innovative
institutions that have emerged in the search for social healing after
violent conflict. In Chile, South Africa and the Czech Republic, three
very different stories and styles of truth-telling have unfolded. How
have they helped to bring social justice, national reconciliation, and
to repair damaged lives?
***** This is a long article that includes links to numerous external
websites to help you evaluate the accomplishments of several truth
commissions.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/other/ahric/ajhr/V5N1/ajhr515.html
Australian Journal of Human Rights
Truth Commissions: The Usefulness of Truth-telling
The literature available on truth commissions bears witness to the
complexity of the issues and the need for a research approach that is
open to contributions from several disciplines in order to engage
fully with the subject. In this paper I want to explore two major
critical perspectives on the use of truth within the commissions, and
the ways in which the emphasis on justice and/or healing shifts
depending on the perspective. Broadly speaking, the first perspective
could be characterised as utilitarian in outlook. It positions truth
as the first step towards achieving positive legal justice; the civil
or criminal prosecution of proven human rights violators. The second
perspective moves more into the domain of psychology and metaphysics,
seeing truth and the act of giving voice to truth as useful in itself
(`truth for truth's sake').
***** This is a long paper that explores the problem of measuring and
evaluating the work of truth commissions.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20020301faessay7977/jonathan-d-tepperman/truth-and-consequences.html?mode=print
Truth and Consequences
From Foreign Affairs, March/April 2002
Summary: Truth commissions have become a favorite way for new
democracies to exorcise the demons in their past. As their popularity
has spread, however, so has the controversy. Are these commissions
truly the best way to achieve justice in transitional societies -- or
just a dodge that dictators use to escape accountability?
The truth business, in short, is booming. A new academic discipline
has sprung up to study the commissions, with courses on the topic now
offered at New York University, Harvard, Michigan, and Columbia law
schools. Numerous books and articles on the subject appear each year.
And last March, the world's first truth commission consulting firm --
the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) -- set up
shop in a Wall Street office suite.
Despite their swelling popularity, however, almost everything about
the truth commissions -- including their missions, compositions, and
outcomes -- is now the subject of intense debate. And much of the
criticism has come from the most unlikely of sources: the mainstream
human rights community, which not long ago enthusiastically supported
such projects around the world.
***** This is a long article that discusses the difficulties involved
in evaluating the work of the newly popular truth commissions.
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http://www.idea.int/conflict/reconciliation/reconciliation_chap08cs-safrica.pdf
Case Study: The Truth Commissions of South Africa and Guatemala
***** This is a five page report that gives you a good overview of the
criteria that might be used for evaluating truth commissions. The
table on the last page is especially useful.
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SEARCH STRATEGY
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truth commission
truth commissions measured outcomes
truth commissions amnesties granted |
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