Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: One of the most pressing and interesting questions that arises in courses in human rights, peace studies, international relations, and political science courses is the truth versus justice debate. To what extent should a society emerging from conflict demand that those responsible for human rights abuses and other forms of violence be prosecuted in a court of law or otherwise held accountable? Does the punishment approach serve to publicize truth and promote justice, or does it encourage the hiding of truth and ultimately diminish justice? As an alternative to prosecution, should societies emerging from violent conflict establish commissions that encourage truth telling, through offering amnesty to perpetrators who tell the truth and confess their guilt? Under what conditions and to what extent do such truth commissions address the concerns of victims and promote the need for social healing? Excellent teaching material exists describing the record of truth commissions in various aprts of the world. However, after reading this material, students have a hard time exploring the dimensions of the amnesty issue and appreciating its relationship to reconciliation. This active learning module has been devised to address these teaching concerns.