Evaluating Truth Commissions: Lessons from Guatemala & South Africa
Public Event
A witness taking the oath before the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Photo Credit: Steve Crawford)
Date and
Time
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
U.S. Institute of Peace
2nd Floor
Conference Room
1200 17th St, NW
Washington, DC 20036
The report and conclusions of the Guatemalan national truth commission (officially
known as the Commission on Historical Clarification) have just been released. The
Commission was established under the peace accords that concluded the 36-year long
civil war. This panel will review the work of the Guatemalan Commission, and compare
its work to other truth commissions. Some questions to be addressed include:
- How effective are Truth Commissions?
- What is the impact of determinations
regarding acts of genocide and other abuses suffered?
- How does the Guatemalan
experience contrast with that of other truth commissions?
- What should the next
steps be?
- What are the lessons for other war-torn societies?
The presentations were followed by questions from the floor.
Speakers
- Patrick Ball
Methodological Advisor, Guatemalan Commission
- Neil Kritz
Director, Rule of Law Program, U.S. Institute of Peace
- Jan Perlin
Former Legal Advisor and Director of Documentation Center,
Guatemalan Commission
- Paul Van Zyl
Former Executive Secretary, South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Media Inquiries
Please contact Ian Larsen (+1.202.429.3870) or Lauren Sucher (+1.202.429.3822) in
the Office of Public Affairs and Communications.
