Samenvatting

The thesis "Truth Commissions V. Human Rights Violators" examines in how far a truth commission can play a role in the trying of human rights violators. Truth commissions are investigative bodies equipped to examine the truth concerning committed human rights abuses, but they do not have any legal powers. However, their investigation can provide a sound basis and important guide for future criminal investigations and legal proceedings. This thesis therefore describes what powers truth commissions do have when it comes to the possible trying human rights violators (namely amnesty power, subpoena power, and the power to name names) and how these powers coincide with international justice.