Purpose: Each year, on 24 March, the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed. Truth after severe human rights violations is paramount. Not only does it enable victims and their relatives to come to terms with their abuse, but it also provides them with access to effective reparations and remedy. When the abuse is clearly documented, the victim will be able to benefit from care and support for their psychological trauma, and the perpetrators may be identified and prosecuted. Truth is equally essential in ending the cycle of impunity by tearing down the all-too-common narratives propagated by the perpetrators or the government, namely that victims, especially human rights defenders, are “terrorists” or “enemies of the state”. Human rights abuses in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which brings together six Arab countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are systematic, with widespread allegations of torture, arbitrary detention, and severe repression of the freedom of expression. Human rights defenders (HRDs) as well as national and international organisations, continue to fight to amplify the voices of victims and communicate their experiences to the international community. Through segments like the ‘Profiles in Persecution’, the OHCHR helps countries to counter the silence imposed by the governments and ensure the truth is shared. However, there remains a deep-seated culture of impunity in some countries. Official bodies charged with investigating allegations of torture by security personnel or authorities have generally been unable or unwilling to properly investigate some cases.
FORUM: "Advancing Victims' Rights and Rebuilding Just Communities." International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2024. The United Nations welcomes this recognition of the unique suffering of victims of human rights violations, not only at the time of abuse, but long after as they seek truth, acknowledgement, and justice. During the day, Participants will be able to debate on the topic ’’What amounts to ‘a serious violation of international human rights law’?’’. On this commemorative day and every day, we emphasize the right to truth and pay tribute to those who devote their lives to the human rights of all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #24March, #Dignityforvictims, #Humanrightsviolations, #RighttotheTruthDay.
EVENTS: On March 24th, the International Day will be observed worldwide under the theme "Advancing Victims' Rights and Rebuilding Just Communities". The organizers, panelists and participants will have the opportunity to reinforce the commitments to end the cycle of impunity and the possibility to learn how to fight for the respect of human rights for all. The OHCHR upholds this commitment to the right to truth every day, and urge the international community to add their powerful voice to advocate for justice and reparations for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. Join us for the commemoration of the International Day for the Rights to the truth concerning the Gross Human Rights Violations 2024 at UNHQ in New york and Geneva!
Professional Training series: The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is the first universally legally binding human rights instrument concerning enforced disappearance. It outlines States parties’ obligations vis-à-vis this phenomenon as well as the victims’ fundamental rights. Ten years after the adoption of the Convention, there is still work to do to eradicate and prevent enforced disappearances in all parts of the world.
PODCASTS: The truth is an empowering and healing force. We embrace it for the past, the present and the future. The right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired, their specific circumstances, and who participated in them, including knowing the circumstances in which the violations took place, as well as the reasons for them. Listen to the audio-podcats!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Stop the violation of Human Rights. Get the communication materials!
Why we celebrate the Day?
We commemorate the day to Honor the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations. The right to truth is a concept often invoked in the case of grave human rights abuses and refers to the explicit right of victims and their relatives to know the full truth of what transpired, under which circumstances, and by whose hands. While the concept finds its roots in the 1970-80s in the context of widespread enforced disappearances in Latin American dictatorships of the time, it was explicitly referred to in a 2005 Resolution by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights who recognized its importance and potential to contribute to ending impunity. It was further explored in a 2006 report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, where it was pronounced as an “inalienable and autonomous right”, linked to – but distinct from – the State duty to protect human rights, conduct effective investigations, and ensure remedy and reparations.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
Promote the importance of the right to truth and justice.
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.
Enable victims and their relatives to come to terms with their abuse, but it also provides them with access to effective reparations and remedy.
Add your voice to demand action.
Amplify the voices of victims and communicate their experiences to the international community.
Counter the silence imposed by the governments and ensure the truth is shared
Reinforce the commitments to end the cycle of impunity
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PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is organized by the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights; the UN Special procedures, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, and the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances
With the participation of Human rights defenders (HRDs) as well as national and international organisations; Civil society Organizations; Non-Governmental organizations; academics and individuals.
Today, as we honour those who experienced such abuses, let us reflect on what each of us can do to prevent serious human rights violations and conflict in our own societies. Let us reach out to others, listen to them, find common ground and overcome divisions.
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The right to the truth has been cited in relation to combating impunity, the rights of internally displaced persons to know the fate of relatives, and in the context of the remedies and reparation for serious human rights violations.