Predictors of Support toward Transitional Justice Process in Chilean General Population Sample

Manuel Cárdenas Castro,Darío Páez Rovira,Bernard Rimé,Maitane Arnoso Martínez

doi:10.11144/javeriana.upsy16.3.pstj

Abstract

Original survey data from Chile are used (N = 1267) to study the determinants of attitudes toward transitional rituals (1991 National Truth and Reconciliation Commission). A logistic regression analysis based on this data was carried out to evaluate the work of truth commissions as the dependent variable (in terms of “approval” and “disapproval”). Results reveal that predictors of favorable attitudes toward truth commissions include emotions such as sadness and hope, TRCs’ contribution to truth and to the construction of an inclusive history (and to a lesser extent to justice), high social sharing, perception of a positive social climate, high institutional trust, and positive perception of official apologies. People supporting TRCs also agree with complementary reparation, suggesting that a positive attitude towards TRCs is negative related to denial the traumatic past.

Highlights

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the predictors of attitudes toward transitional justice process (1991, National Truth and Reconciliation Com m ission)
Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) are one of the transitional justice measures most widely used for moving from a violence climate produced by internal armed conflicts or military dictatorships to living peacefully together
The common functions of truth and reconciliation com m issions (TRC) are: a) to make efforts to find the truth about the period of collective violence; b) to recognize and validate victims’ suffering; c) to compensate those affected, both materially and symbolically; d) to contribute to the creation of an inclusive social memory oriented to the future; e) to avoid new violent events; and f) to seek justice

Summary

Introduction

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the predictors of attitudes toward transitional justice process (1991, National Truth and Reconciliation Com m ission). Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) are one of the transitional justice measures most widely used for moving from a violence climate produced by internal armed conflicts or military dictatorships to living peacefully together. These commissions can be understood as transitional rituals the goal of which is to implement a series of mechanisms so as to address human rights abuse. The common functions of TRC are: a) to make efforts to find the truth about the period of collective violence; b) to recognize and validate victims’ suffering; c) to compensate those affected, both materially and symbolically; d) to contribute to the creation of an inclusive social memory oriented to the future; e) to avoid new violent events; and f) to seek justice. These functions can help to avoid revenge cycles and other war crimes, at the same time preventing the emergence of collective violence (Sikkink & Bott-Walling, 2007), above all in cases where there is support for the TRC and appropriate institutional organization (Brahms, 2009)

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Conclusion