International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2025; March 24th.

FORUM: "Advancing the Rights of the victims." International Day for the Right to the truth concerning the gross human rights violations 2025. The United Nations welcomes this recognition of the unique suffering of victims of human rights violations, not only at the time of abuse, but long after as they seek truth, acknowledgement, and justice. During the day, Participants will be able to debate on the topic ’’What amounts to ‘a serious violation of international human rights law’?’’. On this commemorative day and every day, we emphasize the right to truth and pay tribute to those who devote their lives to the human rights of all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #24March, #Dignityforvictims, #Humanrightsviolations, #RighttotheTruthDay.

EVENTS: A minute of silence to pay tribute to the memory of Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980.

On March 24th, the International Day will be observed worldwide. The organizers, panelists and participants will have the opportunity to reinforce the commitments to end the cycle of impunity and the possibility to learn how to fight for the respect of human rights for all. The OHCHR upholds this commitment to the right to truth every day, and urge the international community to add their powerful voice to advocate for justice and reparations for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice. Join us for the commemoration of the International Day for the Rights to the truth concerning the Gross Human Rights Violations 2025 at UNHQ in New york and Geneva!

Professional Training series: The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance is the first universally legally binding human rights instrument concerning enforced disappearance. It outlines States parties’ obligations vis-à-vis this phenomenon as well as the victims’ fundamental rights. Ten years after the adoption of the Convention, there is still work to do to eradicate and prevent enforced disappearances in all parts of the world.

• Reporting under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Training Guide (Part I – Manual)
• Reporting under the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Training Guide (Part II – Training package)

STATEMENTS: Statement from the U.N. Secretary-General on the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2025; March 24th.

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Bernard Duhaime on the observance of the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2025; March 24th.

“Recent events marked by the end of repression or conflict in some countries demonstrate that in the face of systematic abuse, the quest of victims and their families for truth and justice will always prevail,” Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, said today. Commemorating the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, Duhaime expressed his recognition and support for the courage, resilience and dignity of victims. “I stand in solidarity with victims of gross human rights violations and call on States to put in place the mechanisms and procedures that can enable them to know about the violations they or their relatives have endured,” Duhaime said. The expert highlighted that Truth commissions play a pivotal role in uncovering the facts, providing a platform for victims’ voices, and fostering accountability. “By investigating, transmitting clear and accurate accounts of past violations and preserving a historical record of atrocities, truth commissions contribute to achieving justice, providing reparation to victims, and preventing future violations,” Duhaime added. Noting that members and staff of truth commissions are subject to criminalization, intimidation or threats to their life, health or safety, in various parts of the world, the expert called on States to take more robust measures to protect them, including by affording them the necessary privileges and immunities associated to their roles. “At the time when human rights are being sidelined and multilateralism increasingly being challenged, clear, full and strong support to the work of national and international truth and accountability mechanisms becomes ever more critical,” Duhaime added. The UN expert also expressed deep concern over the growing global challenges of negationism, revisionism and politicization with regard to gross violations of human rights. “Instances of weaponization of truth by political or sectarian interests that seek to rekindle violence or obtain political gain are sadly becoming common place. Denial of past grievances constitutes an active human rights violation and a strong indicator of future violence. Responses must be rights-based, address the dissemination of false information and promote the work of national or international accountability and truth-seeking mechanisms”, the UN expert concluded. 

ENDS The expert: Bernard Duhaime, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice,reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.

 Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index.