Who Owns the Truth?

Join the live podcast recording from Asymmetrical Haircuts on What happens when an international justice process is over? Join Asymmetrical Haircuts, in partnership with Leiden University Center for Peace and Justice for for a live podcast recording exploring the intersections between history, memory and justice - justice for serious human rights violations that might amount to international crimes. For years international justice mechanisms have been justified in terms of the normative goals of truth, peace and reconciliation. They have also crystallised recognition of a right to truth, and the importance of preserving historical memory. But the "truth" about conflicts, occupation and oppression is not only about the evidence that might go to prove the crimes. These are stories of families, communities and societies that can span decades. Survivors of violations have a right to the truth, but what does it represent? Whose truth is it? Historical, transitional justice and human rights, and legal expert practitioners from Bosnia and Herzegovina, The Gambia and Ukraine will come together for this podcast to discuss what role truth, justice and accountability mechanisms have (and have had) in their contexts, all from the perspectives of the persons and communities affected. And what happens when these mechanisms conclude their proceedings? What happens to the collections of stories, the artifacts and many scores of other records that the mechanisms have collected over the years and on which these mechanisms based their findings - their archives? How is their integrity - and their accessibility, preserved? Date: 17 November 2026 Time: 16:00-18:00 Location: Leiden University Wijnhaven, Room 2.02 Discussion around these issues will also explore questions like: • Whose truth do the evidentiary records of these mechanisms hold, and who should decide how they are kept, described and told? • Are archives a neutral record of what happened, or a living collection of memories? • What does meaningful access to these materials look like for survivors, families and communities, in their own languages and in their own places? • When many bodies document the same crimes at once, as in Ukraine, does that serve victims or create false expectations? • What happens to the testimony, objects and evidence that never reached a courtroom? About the Partners Leiden University is one of Europe's leading research universities, with a strong track record in international law, governance, and justice studies. Asymmetrical Haircuts is a podcast and storytelling platform that explores complex global issues through thoughtful conversations that bridge research, policy, and practice. Privacy Policy The Humanity Hub collects your name, email, and organization (if you have one) when you sign up for events, so they can manage the event and tell you about future ones. If you want to receive the Hub newsletter, or if you have food allergies (for events with food), the Hub will collect that too. The Hub wil not share your info with other companies without telling you first. The Hub might take photos or videos at events, but you can inform the organisers if you don't want to be in them. Your data is stored safely, and you can ask to see it, change it, or have it deleted. The Hub will keep your info for 5 years to understand what events you like, and you can always unsubscribe from emails or opt out of surveys. For data deletion or inquiries, contact [email protected] For more information about our Events Privacy Policy – The Hague Humanity Hub