State of Truth in the World Report
What we see in this report is that the ability to expose, address and prevent injustice is essential if communities are to move beyond trauma and effectively advocate for accountability and justice — and access to truth is core to those efforts.
Recognizing the interdependency of truth and justice, The State of Truth in the World Report is an in-depth review of global developments related to truth. Using a dual thematic and country-specific lens, it considers access to truth, the resources available to support truth and justice initiatives, and existing constraints on truth in 18 countries. It also examines how truth is affected in particular ways through four main themes: conflict, gender identity and sexual orientation, locally led approaches, and COVID-19. Each of these themes impacts the relationship individuals and communities have with truth: whether they have space to speak their truth, whether they can access the truths of others and whether sharing the truth results in an end to impunity and further violations.
Truth is an abstract concept, but it manifests in tangible ways. This report considers three dimensions through which truth can be embodied: memory, justice and education. These three dimensions are assessed in each thematic and country chapter. Although each dimension can be understood individually, all three are fundamentally interrelated, and aspects of one may contribute to advancing or obscuring truth in another.
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The State of Truth Report serves to support civil society leaders, national and international advocates and policy makers, funders, practitioners and educators of transitional justice and related fields by directing their attention not only to the importance of truth in conflict settings but also to three key elements that are crucial to its development and safeguarding: memory, justice and education. When the right to remember past violations, hold perpetrators accountable and preserve lessons learned for future generations is lacking, truth remains silenced and peace cannot take hold. The contexts and methodologies examined in this report serve as a roadmap for stakeholders navigating complex conflict and post-conflict terrains, providing concrete strategies that are flexible and replicable. Through detailed thematic reports as well as country reports, the State of Truth Report can also function as a guide for anyone seeking up-to-date information on these issues to support their own work.