Truth

Abstract

THOUGH THE TRUTH COMMISSION WAS CREATED BY PRESIDENT PANIAGUA, it would carry out its work during the Toledo administration. President Toledo had good reason to support the commission in 2001. First, he and many members of his party had campaigned heavily on promises to support transitional justice efforts, to make reparations to victims of state abuses, and to end impunity for human rights violators in the armed forces. Second, the Truth Commission was bound to be critical of APRA, Acción Popular, and the Fujimoristas, Toledo’s political opposition. Finally, Toledo had allied with human rights groups in their fight against the Fujimori campaign of 2000. Toledo’s indigenous identity and close connection to many in the anti-Fujimori campaigns created an expectation that he would deal decisively with Peru’s legacy of human rights abuses and begin to redress the injustices perpetrated against the indigenous population. Immediately upon entering office, he ratified the creation of the Truth Commission.