The Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, Essay Example

The author has adopted a generalization approach by alluding to a mere allegation that people tend to hate on each other because of political power and ideologies. Firstly, a succinct example has not been provided to support the allegations made (Priscilla 65). Additionally, while loss of lives and property is factual, the author has failed to authenticate his assertion by providing evidence. This amounts to sheer guesswork and unfounded assumptions. A case of contradiction is also evident from the author. Notably, he observes that reconciliation commissions are established to solve conflicts between the warring communities (Ishay 56). In a rather weird twist of events, he asserts that the truth commissions tend to achieve nothing, without any case in point being referred. Wrongfully, the author demands that while establishing a truth commission, citizens of a given nation must be involved. In a case of war, there is hardly any time to consult and consider views of all. Although the author appears to campaign for use of public views in establishing the commissions he also observes that, the public lacks confidence in them. This leaves the reader wondering whether indeed the author is keen on involving the public in putting up truth commissions.

Whenever a truth commission is established, it has to be given time to unearth the truth and arrive at a lasting solution. Even so, the author seems to oppose this and instead opts for use of information collected decades ago. The political partiality associated with truth commissions owing to their way of conducting investigations is just an assertion that lacks evidence to convince the readers (Robert and Dennis 11).

Lastly, a truth commission is mostly formed whenever there are issues causing violence or tension within the community. It is difficult to establish a truth commission to solve general issues facing a given community. Dismissing a truth commission on the grounds of not having powers to execute judicial powers is mediocre (Freeman 45). Factually, truth commissions are helpful, and their findings can be used by judicial systems to broker justice to victims of rape, extra judicial killings, and political violence among others.

Works Cited

Freeman, Michael. Human rights : an interdisciplinary approach. Cambridge: Polity Press, 2002. Print

Ishay, Micheline R. The history of human rights: from ancient times to the globalization era. Berkeley, Calif.: University of California Press, 2008.

Priscilla B. Hayner, Unspeakable Truths: Facing Challenge of Truth Commissions. New York: Routledge, 2001. Print

Robert Rotberg and Dennis Thompson, eds., Truth versus Justice: The Morality of Truth Commissions. Princeton University Press, 2000. Print