A Genealogy of the United Nations Understanding of Truth Commissions

Abstract

The United Nations "Rule of Law Tools for Post-Conflict States: Truth Commissions" is one of the official policy documents within the Transitional Justice area to be recommended for post-conflict countries interested in establishing a mechanism which can provide some form of accountability for massive human rights violations. Through a victim-centred approach a collective historical narrative is produced, some form of accountability is achieved, and reconciliation and personal healing can be advanced. This thesis argues these claims and through a genealogical analysis, an exploration of the productive nature of discourse and of the UN, as a system of formation of specific truth claims, is presented.