The right to the truth about gross human rights violations and serious violations of human rights law is an inalienable and autonomous right.
The United Nations General Assembly have proclaimed with A/RES/65/196 the observance of March 24th as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on 21 December 2010. The date was chosen because on 24 March 1980, Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador was assassinated, after denouncing violations of human rights. In a study conducted in 2006 the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that the right to the truth about gross human rights violations and serious violations of human rights law is an inalienable and autonomous right , linked to the duty and obligation of the State to protect and guarantee human rights, to conduct effective investigations and to guarantee effective remedy and reparations. The study affirms that the right to the truth implies knowing the full and complete truth as to the events that transpired, their specific circumstances, a...