International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
A/RES/65/196
About International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
The International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed on 24 March. It honours victims, emphasizes the importance of truth and justice, and recognizes people who have devoted their lives to protecting human rights.
The date also pays tribute to Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero of El Salvador, who was assassinated on 24 March 1980 after speaking against human-rights violations.
Why International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims matters
For victims and families, the right to truth concerns knowing what happened, the circumstances of violations and who was responsible. It is closely connected with investigation, accountability, remedy, memory and dignity.
This guide explains the observance and institutional history; it does not determine legal rights or remedies in an individual case. Those questions can depend on jurisdiction and competent legal or human-rights processes.
History of International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
On 17 June 2010, the UN Human Rights Council adopted A/HRC/RES/14/7 proclaiming 24 March as the day and asking the General Assembly to take action.
On 21 December 2010, the General Assembly adopted A/RES/65/196 proclaiming 24 March as the International Day. The first observance took place on 24 March 2011.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United Nations Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council adopted A/HRC/RES/14/7 on 17 June 2010 proclaiming 24 March and providing the institutional step subsequently welcomed by the General Assembly.
United Nations General Assembly
UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/65/196
First documented observance
The UN Secretary-General’s 2011 message describes that date as the first International Day.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
3 fields not established in reviewed sources
How to Observe International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims
Learn about the right to truth through UN human-rights sources and documented transitional-justice work.
Support archives, memorialization and documentation initiatives that follow ethical, legal and survivor-centred practices.
When discussing victims, avoid sensational details and do not disclose identifying information that could create risk.
For a specific legal case, seek competent legal or human-rights assistance rather than treating an observance guide as legal advice.
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims Facts
The day is observed on 24 March.
The date honours Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, assassinated on 24 March 1980.
The Human Rights Council adopted A/HRC/RES/14/7 on 17 June 2010.
The UN General Assembly adopted A/RES/65/196 on 21 December 2010.
For International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, the first observance took place on 24 March 2011.
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims Messages
May this International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims honour those at its heart through sincere remembrance rather than empty words.
On International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, we remember with dignity and make space for the people, families and communities whose experiences must not be forgotten.
May International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims be marked with reflection, respect and a renewed commitment to protect human dignity.
Remembering on International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims means listening carefully, resisting distortion and carrying the lessons of history forward.
On International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, may memory lead to responsibility, empathy and thoughtful action.
International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims Quotes
“The truth is an empowering and healing force. We embrace it for the past, the present and the future.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
- Legal Financial Information Boundary.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
UN Secretary-General — first observance message (opens in a new tab)
un.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/HRC/RES/14/7 (opens in a new tab)
United Nations Digital Library — A/RES/65/196 (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims?
24 March The documented recurrence rule is: 24 March.
Does International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United Nations international remembrance and human-rights observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims?
The reviewed sources identify United Nations General Assembly as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as United Nations Human Rights Council.
Is International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: United Nations international remembrance and human-rights observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
Why is the Right to Truth Day on 24 March?
The UN chose the date to honour Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was assassinated on 24 March 1980 after defending human rights in El Salvador.
Which UN body established the day?
The Human Rights Council adopted a proclamation resolution in June 2010, and the UN General Assembly subsequently proclaimed the international day through A/RES/65/196 in December 2010.
Does the “right to truth” mean the same legal remedy everywhere?
No. The observance explains a human-rights principle, but specific legal rights, procedures and remedies depend on applicable law and competent institutions.
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