SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.29 issue1Organizational Processes of Women and Victims of Armed Conflict and their Relationship with Local Democracy in Eastern AntioquiaNudges and Unaware Choices: Statu Quo Bias and Public Policies in Colombia author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • On index processCited by Google
  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO
  • On index processSimilars in Google

Share


Desafíos

Print version ISSN 0124-4035

Abstract

LANGER, Johannes. Are Truth Commissions Just Hot-Air Balloons? A Reality Check on the Impact of Truth Commission Recommendations. Desafíos [online]. 2017, vol.29, n.1, pp.177-210. ISSN 0124-4035.  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/desafios/a.4866.

Abstract Truth commissions are widely considered to be a key tool of transitional justice mechanisms (TJMs), whose goal is to achieve truth, justice, and reconciliation after violent conflict or dictatorship. However, policy actors promoting these mechanisms have often not adequately engaged in a critical reflection of the policy measures they are suggesting. Instead, they usually argue from normative points of view rather than relying on empirical evidence. During the last decade, there has been a continued debate as to whether or not TJMs actually work and what impact they have. Drawing on research from three case studies (Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste), this paper analyzes the (non)implementation of recommendations produced in the final reports of truth commissions created after armed conflict. The work focuses on the impact of truth commissions on democracy, peace, and institutional reform. The analysis roughly follows the four-step approach set out by Skaar, Maica, and Eide (2015) to measure the impact of truth commissions and illustrates both the opportunities they provide and their limitations.

Keywords : conflict; impact; Kenya; Sierra Leone; Timor-Leste; transitional justice; truth commission.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )

 

Creative Commons License All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License