CSVR African Transitional Justice Hub

Truth Commissions

Nigeria

The final report of the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, also known as the Oputa Panel, was not published but unofficially released in 2015. The original report ordered an investigation into military rule that began in 1966 and lasted until 1999 when the country returned to democratic rule. The mandate also sought to acknowledge Nigeria’s...

Truth Commissions

Morocco

The Equity and Reconciliation Commission of Morocco (Instance Equité et Réconciliation) (2004-2009) was mandated to investigate the extent and nature of gross human rights committed from 1956 until 1999. The commission was charged with investigating allegations of unresolved forced disappearances and to investigate state actors and other parties that may have been involved in those...

Truth Commissions

Mauritius

The Truth and Justice Commission of Mauritius (2009-2011) was created through the Truth and Justice Act in 2008. According to its founding legislation, the commission was tasked with gathering information about the effects of slavery and indentured servitude in the country from the colonial period until the creation of the commission. The commission sought to...

Truth Commissions

Mali

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission was mandated to investigate all gross human rights violations committed in Mali between 1960 and 2013. It began holding public hearings in 2019.

Truth Commissions

Liberia

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia (2005-2009) was tasked with investigating whether the gross human rights violations and international human rights violations that occurred from January 1979 to October 2003 were isolated incidents or part of a larger, systemic issue. The commission’s mandate was to provide a forum for all parties to share their...

Truth Commissions

Kenya

The Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (2008-2013) was mandated to investigate gross violations of human rights and economic rights and violations of international human rights law during the period of 1963 to 2008. According to the TJRC Bill, the commission’s objectives included establishing as complete a picture as possible of the causes, nature and...

Truth Commissions

Ghana

Ghana’s National Reconciliation Commission (2002-2004) was mandated to investigate violations and abuses of human rights during the periods of what was termed ‘unconstitutional government’ from 1966 to 1969, 1972 to 1979, and 1981 to 1993. According to its founding legislation, the objectives and functions of the commission included establishing an accurate, complete and historical record...

Truth Commissions

The Gambia

The Gambian Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (2018-present) was mandated to investigate and establish an impartial historical record of the nature, causes and extent of violations and abuses of human rights committed during the period of 1994 to 2017, and to consider the granting of reparations to victims and for connected matters. According to its...

Truth Commissions

Ethiopia

The Reconciliation Commission’s mandate states the necessity of the commission being established as an independent institution to inquire into and disclose the truth of the sources, causes and extent of conflicts in Ethiopia, and of it taking appropriate measures and providing recommendations for the lasting peace and prevention of future occurrence of such conflict. With...

Truth Commissions

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Commission Verité et Réconciliation) (2003-2007) was mandated to investigate human rights violations committed from 1960 until the end of the transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to its founding legislation, the objectives and responsibilities of the commission included consolidating national unity, cohesion and social justice; restoring the...