The right to the truth

Based on current international humanitarian law, the right to the truth entails a series of procedures toward the implementation of a remedy for persons who have been victims of grave human rights violations. These victims, along with their families, have the right to know the truth about the abuse they suffered, the identity of the perpetrators, the causes of the violations, and, when appropriate, the fate and location of those who went missing. The right to the truth, according to González and Varney, is recognized internationally by judicial bodies as well as in local courts (3). Its primary goal is to guarantee that governments follow through on their mission to facilitate access to the truth. A country can, therefore, counter abuse denials through the preservation of incriminating documents and evidence which inform truth commissions, courts and other bodies about the disappeared individuals as well as the reality of events that took place

The right to the truth also means that the facts must be made known to the fullest extent possible. As such, this explanation points out that truth is not merely about policies, but rather responsibilities of the global community as nations strive to achieve security, equality, and peace (Epps 313). The international laws all around the world are created and maintained by civil societies, victim groups and other international institutions such as the United Nations. The development of a formidable resistance against fear by these organizations is what has paved the way for truth to expand to almost all regions worldwide. The United Nations through various resolutions and reports explicitly emphasize that the international community has the specific mandate of recognizing and protecting the rights of victims of gross human rights violations. In this way, their families and the society will be able to learn the truth. Although the right to the truth lacks a specific international convention, national courts have duly confirmed its relevance and applicability within various jurisdictions (International Center for Transitional Justice).

Works Cited

Epps, Valerie. International law, fifth edition by . Durham: Carolina Academic Press, 2014.

González, Eduardo and Howard Varney. Truth Seeking: Elements ofCreating an Effective Truth Commission. Report. New York: International Center for Transitional Justice, 2013.

International Center for Transitional Justice. “Right to the Truth.” International Center for Transitional Justice, 24 March 2012, https://www.ictj.org/gallery-items/right-truth. Accessed 10 October 2017.