Commissioning the truth: Further research questions

Third World Quarterly

Volumn 17, Issue 1, 1996, Pages 19-30

  Hayner, Priscilla B ^a  

^a NONE   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

HUMAN RIGHTS; TRUTH COMMISSION;

EID: 0029908967     PISSN: 01436597     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/01436599650035752     Document Type: Article

References (19)

1. Those countries that have agreed to truth commissions in 1994 or 1995, but which have yet to begin as of October 1995, are South Africa, Guatemala and Burundi; Sri Lanka and Haiti established truth commissions in early 1995, and Malawi has called for international funding for a truth commission.
2. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
3. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
4. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
5. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
6. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
7. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
8. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
9. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
10. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
11. See P B Hayner, 'Fifteen truth commissions - 1974 to 1994: a comparative study', Human Rights Quarterly, 16(4), 1994, pp 597-655, which includes a detailed look at truth commissions through 1994. In addition, there are a number of other excellent studies on the subject; the following are among the better overviews: The Justice and Society Program of The Aspen Institute, State Crimes: Punishment or Pardon, Aspen, Co 1989; D Weissbrodt & P W Fraser, 'Report of the Chilean National Commission on Truth and Reconciliation', Human Rights Quarterly, 14(4), 1992, pp 601-622 (book review which compares a number of past commissions); R Carver, 'Called to account: how African governments investigate human rights violations', African Affairs, 1990, pp 391-415; J Méndez, Review of A Miracle, A Universe by Lawrence Weschler, New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, 8(2), 1991; A Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', The New York Review of Books, 1 February 1990, pp 32-34; J Benomar, 'Confronting the past: justice after transitions', Journal of Democracy, 4(1), 1993, pp 3-14; Benomar 'Coming to terms with the past: how emerging democracies cope with a history of human rights violations', Human Rights Program of the Carter Center of Emory University, 1 July 1992; J M Pasqualucci, 'The whole truth and nothing but the truth: truth commissions, impunity and the Inter-American Human Rights System', Boston University International Law Journal, 12(2), 1994, pp 321-370; and M Popkin & N Roht-Arriaza, 'Truth as justice: investigatory commissions in Latin America', Law and Social Inquiry: The Journal of the American Bar Foundation, 1995, pp 79-116.
12. The Nuremberg trials are often noted for the great amount of information they publicly exposed on the extent of the Nazi crimes. The international tribunal on the former Yugoslavia and on Rwanda may also serve this function. These tribunals, created under the auspices of the United Nations, are exceptional cases that were established in part to create a public record of events.
13. Neier, 'What should be done about the guilty?', p 34.
14. Méndez, review of A Miracle, A Universe, Méndez cites Professor Thomas Nagel for his articulation of this distinction.
15. The mandate of the Chilean commission required that it forward information about the acts of specific individuals to the courts, but not address individual responsibility in its report. It was also barred from documenting cases of torture that did not result in death.
16. Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act, Para 18(1), Republic of South Africa Government Gazette, 16579, 26 July 1995.
17. See C Krauss, 'US, aware of killings, kept ties to Salvadoran rightists, papers suggest', New York Times, 9 November 1993, p A-9; and L Gilbert, 'El Salvador's death squads: new evidence from US documents', International Policy Report, Washington: Center for International Policy, March 1994.
18. See C Krauss, 'US, aware of killings, kept ties to Salvadoran rightists, papers suggest', New York Times, 9 November 1993, p A-9; and L Gilbert, 'El Salvador's death squads: new evidence from US documents', International Policy Report, Washington: Center for International Policy, March 1994.
19. 'Agreement on the Establishment of the Commission to Clarify Past Human Rights Violations and Acts of Violence that have Caused the Guatemalan Population to Suffer', UN Document A/48/954/5/1994/751, 23 June 1994.