‘Truth’ commission launched

‘Truth’ commission launched
By REBECCA TORR
AN independent commission that aims to document the accounts of victims of alleged gross human rights violations was launched at National Democratic Action Society (NDAS) last night.

The Truth Commission has been set up by a coalition of political and human rights societies to help bring justice and reconciliation to victims of abuse, particularly former inmates who allegedly suffered while in prison.

The body will be tasked with collecting prison files and testimonies of victims of gross human rights violations.

Perpetrators of violence will also be encouraged to give their testimonies.

A documentation centre will be set up and each testimony will be taken in the presence of witnesses.

The commission will be assisted by various human rights organisations, including International Centre for Transitional Justice.

The commission’s board and action plan will be decided and announced at subsequent meetings.

“All countries, like South Africa, that have gone through torture go through a truth and reconciliation process,” NDAS secretary-general Ebrahim Sharif Al Sayed told the GDN.

“All countries that went through a dark time have to go through this,” he said.

“There are thousands in Bahrain that went through prisons in the 1990s and before and they went through a lot of pain.

“Thousands of others were also in exile,” he said.

Mr Al Sayed said various human rights and political groups had been urging the government to set up a truth and reconciliation commission since 2001, but nothing had been done.

He said while the government had given amnesty to exiles, prisoners and perpetrators, this was not enough and there needed to be reconciliation and compensation.

Victims were not asking for revenge, but if wounds were to be closed the truth needed to come out, he added.

“People that committed these crimes need to tell their stories and say sorry,” said Mr Al Sayed.

“People are willing to forgive, they won’t forget, but they can forgive if they receive an apology.

“We had been pushing the government to form a truth and reconciliation committee headed by a prominent figure.

“However, the government refused so instead we started the first part which is a truth commission.

“It won’t be a substitute for a government/non-governmental organisation commission but at least we will be able to document the alleged atrocities of the last 30 years or more before some of the victims die,” he added.

“So whenever the government acknowledges their testimonies and sets up a truth and reconciliation commission, even if it’s in 20 years, they will have all the information.” becky@gdn.com.bh

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http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Print.aspx?storyid=266561

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