ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book explores the concept of the right to the truth in a range of institutional settings. It highlights on human rights, the right to the truth indicates a series of state functions all of which involve a degree of state action independent of victims’ wills. There is an important reason to stipulate certain aspects of a truth-realisation and to pronounce on aspects of the truth at international level: to delegate all truth-finding powers to the state would give states too great a power-monopoly on truth. Studies have been conducted into the reasons and motivations of victims participating in international criminal justice mechanisms, and a useful comparison may be drawn from this to other perspectives, such as those of human rights and truth and reconciliation.