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Political Science Civil Rights

The Politics of Acknowledgement

Truth Commissions in Uganda and Haiti

by (author) Joanna R. Quinn

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Jan 2011
Category
Civil Rights, Human Rights
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774818476
    Publish Date
    Jan 2011
    List Price
    $32.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774818469
    Publish Date
    Jul 2010
    List Price
    $95.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774818483
    Publish Date
    Jan 2011
    List Price
    $125.00

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Description

Human rights violations leave deep scars on people, societies, and nations. Rights groups argue that resolving past violence is necessary for a peaceful future. But how can nations ensure that instruments of transitional justice are the best path to reconciliation? This book develops a theoretical framework – a framework of acknowledgement – to evaluate truth commissions. Analysis of the difficulties encountered and the ultimate failure of truth commissions in Uganda and Haiti reveals that acknowledgement of past violence – by both victims and perpetrators – must come before goals such as forgiveness and social cohesion if reconciliation is to be achieved.

About the author

Joanna R. Quinn is assistant professor of political science, and co-director, Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict Research Group, The University of Western Ontario.

Joanna R. Quinn's profile page