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What can reasonably be expected from a truth commission?: A Togolese view
Author(s) -
Kpanake Lonzozou,
Mullet Etienne
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
conflict resolution quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.323
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1541-1508
pISSN - 1536-5581
DOI - 10.1002/crq.20039
Subject(s) - dignity , commission , human rights , punishment (psychology) , political science , law , public administration , psychology , social psychology
A survey examining the personal views of a sample of 579 ordinary citizens living in Togo on the possible objectives, functions, powers, and composition of truth commissions was conducted. These citizens were sensitized to the idea of the creation of a truth commission in their country under the auspices of the United Nations. Some clear priorities were promoting reconciliation, strengthening the respect for human rights, acquiring knowledge about past atrocities, and restoring the dignity of victims. They did not expect truth commissions to have for their objectives the punishment of the perpetrators or the implementation of social and economic reforms.