The Role of Truth Committees during Transitional Justice in the Arab Spring Countries
Dr. Ahmad Al-Mohtadi Billah
Assistant Professor of International Law
Abstract:
Truth committees are one of the methods of establishing justice in the transitional period towards democracy. Truth committees can be established simultaneously with the establishment of criminal trials of those responsible for human rights abuses, or they might be created separately to establish post-conflict justice.
Truth committees were formed during the transitional period in many countries, including El Salvador, Chile, Sierra Leone, and others. However, the most successful committee in establishing post-conflict justice was the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa because of its formation, powers, and authorized mechanisms. This committee solely established post-conflict justice in South Africa.