Oral Testimony and the Truth: What is the UN's Actual Practice

The difference in answers between a normal and an incognito tab reflects a common misunderstanding of the UN's methodology. In the context of human and indigenous rights, the UN is not solely bound by written archives; when history has been suppressed, erased, or never documented, the voices of victims and communities through oral testimony become the primary basis for truth-seeking.

Me: "Ask Brave gave me two answers. One is in the normal tab, and one is in the incognito tab. Which one is correct?

In the normal tab, Ask Brave said the UN does not recognise oral sources of information as a primary source, even from oppressed areas — just as a critical source of information.

The private (incognito) tab said the opposite. The UN does recognise it as a primary source."

Google Gemini: "Oral testimony is the primary source in UN human rights and indigenous rights investigations, as recognised by their standards and practices. The private tab's answer is accurate; oral evidence often stands alone where written records are absent or destroyed."

Truth does not depend on paper alone. By professionally assessing the credibility and consistency of oral testimonies, the UN recognises that for oppressed communities, the human voice itself is often the most honest and valuable primary evidence.