Justice for All Calls for Enhanced Protection of Truth-Tellers and Stronger International Mechanisms Ahead of International Day for the Right to Truth

NEW YORK, March 24, 2026

For immediate release

On the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, Justice for All, a human rights organization accredited to the United Nations, issued an urgent call for the global defense of truth. Amid escalating conflicts and widespread disinformation, the organization is urging stronger international legal mechanisms and greater protection for journalists, witnesses, and victims who risk their lives to expose atrocities.

Observed annually on March 24, the anniversary of the 1980 assassination of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was killed for denouncing human rights abuses in El Salvador, the day serves as a reminder of the right of victims and societies to know the full truth about grave violations. Justice for All stresses that the “fog of war” must not be used to evade accountability.

“In conflict zones from Gaza to Iran, Ukraine, and Sudan, we are witnessing the weaponization of information,” said Imam Malik Mujahid, President of Justice for All. “We call for increased funding and political support for the UN Human Rights Council, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the International Criminal Court. These institutions must be empowered to verify facts and ensure perpetrators cannot hide behind disinformation.”

The right to truth is an inalienable principle in international law, requiring states to conduct effective investigations and provide victims and their families with a full account of violations. For victims of enforced disappearance, torture, and conflict-related sexual violence, truth is essential for healing and reparations.

“The first casualty in war is the truth, but it is also the most essential tool for justice,” said Imam Saffet Catovic, Director of UN Operations at Justice for All and former Bosnian diplomat. “We are seeing a dangerous gap between the evidence gathered and the political will to act. Fragmentation across international bodies has created delays that powerful actors exploit. Fact-finding must lead directly to accountability.”

Justice for All continues its work to protect truth-tellers and defend marginalized communities through advocacy, research, documentation and activism. Its campaigns include Save Uyghur, Burma Task Force, Kashmir Action, and Save India From Fascism, alongside efforts to combat global Islamophobia. Building on its origins in the Bosnia Task Force, which successfully advocated for recognizing rape as a war crime, the organization remains committed to documenting atrocities and supporting affected communities.

The organization also emphasizes the critical role of independent journalism and witness protection, calling both a legal and moral imperative. Preserving the historical record, it notes, is essential not only for justice but to prevent future violations. The United Nations has affirmed that the right to truth extends beyond individuals to society as a whole.

“The truth is an empowering and healing force,” Catovic added, quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “As we honor Archbishop Romero, we recommit to protecting those who speak truth to power, journalists, witnesses, and communities demanding accountability.”

Justice for All calls on UN Member States to fully fund human rights mechanisms, ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and uphold the right to truth as a cornerstone of international peace and security.

Contact:

Hena Zuberi

hena@justiceforall.org

About Justice for All:

Justice for All is a nonprofit organization accredited to the United Nations, dedicated to advancing human rights, protecting vulnerable communities, and promoting accountability for war crimes through advocacy and public education.