International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2017

               Two weeks ago, more precisely on Friday, 24th of March, all over the world was celebrated the Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. So, this post is a tribute to all human rights defenders who helps bring justice and the truth for anyone looking for them. As I said before, it is very important to fight against injustice, because the violations could spread and the nightmare called dystopia become a new system increasingly difficult to combat.  This post is a summary of four articles. The first was published at http://www.gchragd.org/en/blog/2017-international-day-right-truth-concerning-gross-human-rights-violations-and-dignity-victims. The second was published at http://contranocendi.org/index.php/en/news/101-international-day-for-the-right-to-the-truth-concerning-gross-human-rights-violations-and-for-the-dignity-of-victims. The third was published at http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/en/pressrels/2016/unissgsm726.html. The fourth was published at https://humanrights.ca/blog/right-truth-concerning-gross-human-rights-violations

                The 2017 International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims recognises the importance of promoting justice to victims who have experienced gross human rights violations. The bold decision of the U.N. to proclaim 24th March as an day in commemoration of the right to the truth became a reality thanks to the many human rights champions who sacrificed their lives to denounce violations of human rights. Archbishop Oscar Romero from El Salvador was a source of inspiration for human rights defenders and activists around the world. He was murdered in 1980 by perpetrators for speaking out and seeking the truth for human rights violations inflicted on the civilian population during the civil war. Although the Archbishop is remembered today, the voices of victims are often left unheard. There are numerous examples to choose from. The Rohingya people of Myanmar are experiencing serious human rights violations as they face persecution and maltreatment. In Syria, a devastating war is currently taking place. Millions of Syrians have fled their country and thousands have vanished owing to the grinding civil war. Propaganda rather than truth underpins the drama unfolding in Syria, the rest of the Middle East, and indeed wherever conflict prevails or mass-border migration occurs in search of survival. Concealment  or distortion of truth in a context of a surfeit of data is the wilful result of ideological distortions. If justice is ever to prevail in our global society, truth needs to be sought, identified and acted upon, especially in terms of calling violators to account and providing remedy and reparations for victims.

               The goal of this day of commemoration holds special meaning for us. Our work in advocating greater adherence to international human rights standards, means that we often, sadly, wade into situations where there are serious human rights concerns. Whether these concerns are related to acts by government actors or non-state actors, and whether or not the violations are inflicted upon individual victims or as part of collective victimization, the truth of the ciscumstances surrounding these acts and the dignity of victims must be of fundamental importance. Last year, We made submissions to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa on the right to redress for victims of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. Victims, their loved ones and their communities have a right to know the whole truth about the human rights violations they were subjected to and the circumstances surrounding their victimization. These truths, can be very important for the recovery process of victims. Additionally, disclosure of the truth and acceptance of roles in the events that caused the victimization can be the first step in the path towards preventing future violations. Recovery from victimization can be a long and difficult process, and knowing the truth is an indispensable part of this process. Respecting the dignity of victims throughout the process must be foremost. This is the only way victims can receive the full redress and reparations that they are entitled to. 

             This annual observance day pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Oscar Romero, who was murdered on 24th March 1980. Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the individuals in El Salvador. Across the world, every victim has the right to know the truth about the violation that affected her or him. But the truth also has to be told for the benefit of all people and communities as a vital safeguard against the recurrence of violations. The right to the truth is closely linked to the right to justice. To advance this effort, the U.N. support fact-finding missions, commissions of inquiry and truth commissions, which document violations and make recommendations to ensure accountability, reconciliation, and other reforms. throughout the world, from Colombia to Tunisia, from Mali to Sri Lanka, from Nepal to South Sudan, the U.N. has advocated for inclusive and genuine consultations with victims and affected groups, who are too often excluded. Their meaningful participation must be ensured in all relevant stages of transitional justice processes, and their specific needs must be fully recognized in any reparation measures. Securing the testimonies of victims and witnesses is also essential to ensuring the rights to know the truth and to justice. Appropriate mechanisms for the protection of victims and witnesses, including their physical and psychological integrity, privacy and dignity, must be put in place. Moreover, the preservation of archives and other documentation relating to human rights violations is crucial for ensuring undistorted historical record and preservation of memory. On this day, I urge States to adopt measures to promote truth, justice and reparation for victims, which is so crucial to ensuring that gross human rights violations are not repeated.

             Monsignor Romero was murdered for refusing to be silent in the face of violence, abuse and injustice. His appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador in 1977 was seen  as the Vatican's attempt to restrain him from speaking out against the government. However, after witnessing numerous human rights violations  and atrocities, he became a vocal defender of the poor and the oppressed in his country. Monsignor's courage  for speaking truth to power and for demanding justice and peace for his fellow citizens led to his assassination. On March 24th, 2010, on the 30th anniversary of Monsignor' death, the U.N. General Assembly proclaimed this day as the International Day for the Right to Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims. During this day, the U.N. asks us to: 1) Honour the memory of victims of human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice. 2) Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all. 3) Recognize, in particular, the important work and values of Monsignor Romero. The right to know the truth is linked to governments' duty and obligation to protect and guarantee human rights, to conduct effective investigaitons and to guarantee effective remedy and reparations.