Background to the book
Published in French at the end of 2023 by the Institut Francophone pour la Justice et la Démocratie, Archives et droits humains is a book which explores the close relationship between archives and human rights through integrating the principles of the right to truth, justice and reparation in its pages.
Through a case-study approach, the book shows how these examples “can inspire archivists, jurists, journalists, historians, civil society activists and others to use archives in defence of human rights”, stated co-editor Jens Boel. The idea for the book first came to the Section on Archives and Human Rights (ICA/SAHR) (formerly known as the Human Rights Working Group HRWG) in 2017, in 2017. However, it was the culmination of years of activities and smaller publications.
Following, editors Boel, Perrine Canavaggio and Antonio González Quintana combined a comprehensive overview of archives and human rights with a series of case studies from around the world. These illustrate how archives are used to combat impunity and uncover truth in the face of serious human rights violations. Experts from a range of fields contributed, and each editor oversaw one language edition: English, French or Spanish. The English edition, published in 2021, was selected by Routledge for Open Access, ensuring global accessibility. The Spanish 2023 edition, Archivos y derechos humanos, was also met with acclaim from scholars and professionals.
Confronting memory is a way of making the ghosts disappear and begin building a brighter, more serene future… Archives then play a crucial role by providing evidence, thereby enabling scholars and citizens to get closer to the truth.
(Boel, Canavaggio, and Quintana, Archives and Human Rights, English edition, p. 1).
Jens Boel is currently a history consultant who previously served as the Chief Archivist of UNESCO (1997-2017) and coordinated the UNESCO History Project (2004-2011). Boel co-founded the ICA Human Rights and Archives Working Group and now serves as an Executive Member of ICA Section on Archives and Human Rights.
Perrine Canavaggio is an archivist who held the position of Chief Curator of the Archives of the Presidency of the French Republic (1974-1994), and Deputy Director of Archives of France (1995-1996). She has held many across ICA management, including Deputy Secretary General (2000-2009), and has been a member of the Executive Committee of ICA/SAHR since 2019.
Antonio González Quintana is the former Chair of ICA/SAHR and was previously the Deputy Director General of Archives in the Community of Madrid between 2010 and 2018. He was the director of the Documentary Information Centre of the Archives of the Ministry of Culture (2006-2008), Head of the Military Archives Coordination Unit of the Ministry of Defence (1994-2003), director of the Civil War Archive in Salamanca (1986-1994) and archivist of the Pablo Iglesias Foundation (1979-1985).
Salon du Livre Judiciaire Presentation
The French edition of Archives and Human Rights was recently honoured with selection for the Salon du Livre Judiciaire, held on Saturday 24 May in Paris. This prestigious annual event, now in its tenth year, brings together authors, scholars and legal experts to explore how books and history illuminate the pursuit of justice. The event is organised by l’Association française pour l’histoire de la justice (AFHJ) in partnership with the French Ministry of Justice and the Conseil supérieur du notariat.
Representing the book and the ICA/SAHR, Boel participated in a roundtable discussion at the salon, discussing the crucial link between archives and human rights with fellow experts. The inclusion of Archives et droits humains at such a significant event highlights the growing recognition of archival work in the context of historical justice.
The AFHJ, which oversees the salon, was founded by Robert Badinter, a former Minister of Justice and the leading voice behind the 1981 abolition of the death penalty in France. His legacy and upcoming induction into the Panthéon in October 2025 make this year’s salon especially meaningful.
The selection of the book for the Salon du Livre Judiciaire is a recognition of the relevance and importance of archives when it comes to documenting human rights violations in a legal context, said Jens Boel. He added, it is an honour to be invited there.
Recent achievements of SAHR
- Canavaggio and Boel recently gave their third annual ICA/SAHR lecture at Sciences Po University, introducing students to the enduring importance of archives in the protection of human rights and the pursuit of truth. Both noted the earnest enthusiasm and engagement of the students.
- Earlier this year, on 24 March, ICA/SAHR members participated in a symposium organized by the French Association for the United Nations to mark the International Day for the Right to the Truth.
- Speaking on the topic of “archives in the service of the right to truth,” their contributions will be published in an upcoming edition of Droits fondamentaux, the digital journal of Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas. That same day, the section also presented its work to the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The critical acclaim of Archives and Human Rights in all its three languages is indicative of the tremendous effort that went into its production. Moreover, its encouraging reception at recent events shows that “if the book can serve as a tool and as an inspiration for future endeavours to use archives in defence of human rights, then we will have achieved our objective.” (Boel, Canavaggio, and Quintana, Archives and Human Rights, English edition, p. 7).
Archives of human rights violations are not only a tool for looking backwards. They help build society’s future
Michelle Bachelet, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights