United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is annually observed across the globe on 24th March to pay tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980 after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.
Purpose of the day:
- Honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and promote the importance of the right to truth and justice;
- Pay tribute to those who have devoted their lives to, and lost their lives in, the struggle to promote and protect human rights for all;
- Recognize the important work and values of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador
Background:
i.On 21 December 2010, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/65/196 and proclaimed the 24 March of every year as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.
ii.The day was first observed on 24th March 2011.
Key Points:
According to the study conducted by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2006, the right to the truth about gross human rights violation and violation against human rights laws is an autonomous right linked to the duty of the state to protect human rights.
The Commission on the Truth for El Salvador:
i.The Commission on the Truth for El Salvador was established in accordance with the Mexico Agreements of 27 April 1991.
ii.The commission aims to investigate serious acts of violence that had occurred since 1980 and whose impact on society was deemed to require an urgent public knowledge of the truth.
iii.In its report of 15th March 1993, the Commission documented the facts of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero by pro-government forces.
