This week in class the main topic has been torture, and truth commissions. I know that a lot has been said about truth commissions, but there was one particular thing that peaked my interests. In class on Mon we were talking about how truth commissions, in order to receive the whole truth from criminals, offer amnesty to the perpetrators of the violations of human rights.
But, the immediate objection was raised in class that, if these violators of human rights are given amnesty does that mean that nothing happens to them? The answer was, yes. That if a perpetrator of a human rights violation that has been committed on the behalf of a political party then the violator is granted just what they are promised: complete freedom from the punishment of the justice system for their crimes.
Dr.J’s response to this objection was that in these settings of truth commissions, it is often such a relief to the victims, their families, and the entire society as a whole that they are willing to grant this amnesty in return from the truth. This led to some explanation from Dr.J that the truth is powerful in many situations such as this that it actually relieves people to know the truth.
But, I have a slight variation on this claim. I would argue that it is not in fact the truth that sets these people free. But, that instead it is the perpetrator taking personal responsibility for their actions. I think that the truth does bring a certain relief but only in that it moves someone from an unsure position of inaction into a realm of clear necessity of action.
The example that this makes me think of is the show “cheaters”. On this show people that believe there significant others are being unfaithful to them recruit this squad of detectives that gather video and audio surveillance. At then end of the show they present this evidence of their significant other being unfaithful, and then take the recruiter to catch their respective girlfriend/boyfriend cheating on them.
What I have noticed from watching this show is that the recruiters rarely feel closure simply knowing the truth from watching the video or even when they witness their significant other actually being unfaithful. The true closure, and moving from the plain of the inability to act to the plain of sure action is when in fact they speak to their significant other and they confess, and take personal responsibility for their actions. In fact I have noticed that the “cheaters” who deny, or neglect to take personal responsibility by admitting what they have done are less likely to be taken back by their significant others. Weather this is because they appear remorseful or because they actually are taking responsibility I do not know. But, I think I can safely say that the acceptance of personal responsibility that comes with the admission of ones wrong doings does bring a feeling of relief the victims of all types of wrong doings.
I don't think you can take the stuff you see on that show as indicative of the way people actually deal with the emotional problems (it's scripted, they're on a reality show, etc) in situations like this. Just because the guy who wrote the script decides that people in this situation might act this way doesn't mean that this speaks to the way wounds are acually healed. In any fiction, what is believable is not the same as what is realistic.
ReplyDeleteOk, I was following you up until that unexpected turn to Cheaters...not exactly sure it's a genuine comparison, just saying.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I agree that throughout Hayner's book, and even in the chapter by Rotberg, there seems to be this argument made by many victims that it's more important to them that the perpetrators admit to their crimes. What those victims want more than anything is for the atrocities and their suffering to be acknowledged by those responsible, their government, and even the larger international community. Truth is a valuable tool in their healing process, but victim testimony in the Hayner book made it sound as if those people viewed acknowledgment as validation.
I agree that the truth, even when damaging in some way, is something that people would rather have. Even if it brings pain, actually knowing all of the facts about the situation seems to be more sought-after than being naive. I think it gives those searching for the truth the ability to gain closure at some point, even if not for some time. No matter what it entails, understanding all the facts of a situation is a way to better deal with and come to terms with the resolution that is given.
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