UN Fact-Finding Inquiry Commissions for Assassinations of Prominent Individuals

UN Fact-Finding Inquiry Commissions established for assassination of prominent individuals are unique fact-finding commissions not only because of their international nature but also because they are investigating a crime that could be prosecuted. These commissions resemble domestic inquiry commissions but do not have the same investigative powers as domestic commissions. The role of fact-finding commissions is limited to an investigation of facts; they do not adjudicate issues and determine civil or criminal liability. The commissions investigating assassinations do not replace criminal investigations that would be conducted prior to prosecution to the crime. Such commissions must be cognizant of the impact of the procedures they use to obtain information on the admissibility of evidence at the criminal trial. The increase in the creation of fact-finding inquiry commissions is part of the efforts to end impunity.