Abstract
This book is about an international debate on the right of a victim to the truth. It is organised into 10 different chapters, which demarcate and advocate for the development of the aspect of ‘right to truth’ with a perspective of the international humanitarian right, international criminal justice, victim jurisprudence, its effect and future implications. It is interesting to note that though these chapters do not depict the loopholes that may arise when the described principles and concepts are not adhered to. However, it assists in grasping complexities involved in establishing the victim’s right to the truth. It rings the bell at the right time and is an appropriate read for the enthusiasts of international law and those who have a zeal to acknowledge the realities of a victim.
Through its initial chapter (p. 8), ‘The need for truth’, it establishes the background for such need with the victim’s perspective. Human sufferings implicate immense psychological and emotional distress on the victim. It is here that the need to know the truth arises, so that the victim gets an opportunity to come across reality. This chapter raises a question as to whether truth can be seen as a precondition to justice delivery mechanism or not. However, the author deviates a little and says that such a right can be universal but not homogeneous. In the subsequent chapters, the authors have discussed the emergence of the right to truth (p. 34) and content of such rights (p. 42). It has been depicted that accepting the importance of truth is the prime reason for the emergence of a right for truth. Moreover, the contents depict that such a right needs to have a structural truth and clarity, individual truth regarding the violation, narrative truth through which representative bodies give victims an opportunity to be heard.
Divulging the truth about the violation and atrocity that has taken place is seen as a beneficial step for not only individuals but also for the entire society at large. It has tremendous potential in the domain of right to the truth (p. 69). The authors discuss the notion of right to the truth through several platforms, namely, international human right courts (p. 79), truth commissions (p. 86) and international criminal courts. However, it is highlighted that the right to the truth is not found in the literature of international criminal tribunals (p. 93). Another chapter deals with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Committee. It shows that these two institutions work with an objective to give effect to the right to the truth. These steps can be interpreted to the point that the right to the truth has legal authority in a persuasive sense and can be seen as a general principle of international law (p. 127).
Finally, the authors make four suggestions by analysing the contents of their chapters. The first one points out the importance of ‘stimulation through association’ with the right to the truth. The second suggests that if the moral imperatives of the right to the truth are rightly understood, the task becomes much more accessible and achievable. The third revolves around the concept of ‘public aspect’. Considering the right to the truth through the perspective of the public aspect, it elaborates the connotation attached to such rights and showcases its effect on the entire society and not just on individuals. The fourth suggestion lays down emphasis on the ‘nuanced authoritative fact finding and the relevant declarations’ (p. 235). Overall, the book clearly discusses the complex subject of the victim’s right to the truth in international law.
