Introduction = 1
Why establish a truth commission, and when? = 1
I. CORE PRINCIPLES AND OPERATING ASSUMPTIONS = 5
A. National choice = 5
B. The need for a comprehensive transitional justice perspective = 5
C. Expect a unique, country-specific model = 5
D. Political will and operational independence = 6
E. International support = 6
II. ESTABLISHING A TRUTH COMMISSION = 7
A. Consultation = 7
B. Terms of reference = 8
C. Selecting commissioners = 13
D. Preparatory period = 14
E. Staffing = 15
III. A TRUTH COMMISSION’S OPERATIONS = 17
A. Core activities = 17
B. Key challenges = 20
IV. INTERRELATIONSHIPS = 27
A. Prosecutions = 27
B. Reparations = 28
C. Vetting = 28
D. Reforms = 29
V. IMPACT AND FOLLOW-UP = 31
A. Follow-up and implementation = 31
B. Distribution of the report = 31
C. What happens to the files? = 32
D. Judging “success” = 32
VI. ASSISTING TRUTH COMMISSIONS: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTORS = 33
A. Role of national NGOs = 33
B. Role of the United Nations and other international actors = 34
Conclusion = 36
Why establish a truth commission, and when? = 1
I. CORE PRINCIPLES AND OPERATING ASSUMPTIONS = 5
A. National choice = 5
B. The need for a comprehensive transitional justice perspective = 5
C. Expect a unique, country-specific model = 5
D. Political will and operational independence = 6
E. International support = 6
II. ESTABLISHING A TRUTH COMMISSION = 7
A. Consultation = 7
B. Terms of reference = 8
C. Selecting commissioners = 13
D. Preparatory period = 14
E. Staffing = 15
III. A TRUTH COMMISSION’S OPERATIONS = 17
A. Core activities = 17
B. Key challenges = 20
IV. INTERRELATIONSHIPS = 27
A. Prosecutions = 27
B. Reparations = 28
C. Vetting = 28
D. Reforms = 29
V. IMPACT AND FOLLOW-UP = 31
A. Follow-up and implementation = 31
B. Distribution of the report = 31
C. What happens to the files? = 32
D. Judging “success” = 32
VI. ASSISTING TRUTH COMMISSIONS: NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ACTORS = 33
A. Role of national NGOs = 33
B. Role of the United Nations and other international actors = 34
Conclusion = 36