| dc.description.abstract | Over 30 truth commissions have been established so far in the world', but in practice they have in one way or another differed in methodological approach, context and application. Other variations occur in what they have achieved against the set objectives and expectations. Those who evaluate them do not have a standardized methodology and criteria, As a precaution, there are many factors that may impede the establishment and applicability of a truth commissions to a certain post conflict society.
The study has examined the concept of truth commission and reconciliation in the analysis of fourteen truth commissions among them Motsuanyane and Skweyiya commissions that are not considered as truth commissions since their appointing authority was the ANC party in South Africa and their investigations were event specific. However they offer valuable lessons on how other forms of commissions can deal with the past atrocities without substituting the need for a universal comprehension of the past atrocities through a truth commission.
Algeria, Rwanda and Ethiopia have also been analyzed to represent other generic forms of truth commissions that were equally effective as mechanisms of transitional justice. Generally, the good practice elements [often insisted on by proponents of truth commissions] of truth commissions cannot be applied rigidly in any context of a conflict but should only serve as a guide by ensuring any truth commission adhere to the principles. Truth commissions should not substitute the judicial organs.
The strength and effectiveness of a truth commission depends on how best a truth commission understands its operation environment and manipulates it to suit the countries justice and reconciliation needs. The study has also deduced that truth commissions can be established for noble reasons and more so they are prone to abuse and capable of being used to perpetuate impunity. Nonetheless, the greatest challenge is lack of certainty that a truth commission has been set up with proper motive.
The study concludes that truth commissions are in themselves inadequate in addressing justice and reconciliation needs for post conflict societies, but they are more tenable where restorative justice is most preferred. And there are invaluable lessons that can be learnt comparatively from past truth commissions. However, it would be misleading to suggest that this study offers tangible pathways for adoption by countries establishing a truth commission. The findings in this work only provides broad guidelines as a way of informing decision makers of the probable implications of the choice a country adopts in designing its truth commission. | en_US |
