An Introduction to Transitional Justice

389 Pages·2020·10.243 MB·English

by  Olivera Simic (editor)

An Introduction to
Transitional Justice
The Second Edition of An Introduction to Transitional Justice provides a
comprehensive overview of transitional justice judicial and non-judicial measures
implemented by societies to redress legacies of massive human rights abuse.
Written by some of the leading experts in the field, it takes a broad, interdisciplinary
approach to the subject, addressing the dominant transitional justice mechanisms
as well as key themes and challenges faced by scholars and practitioners.
Using a wide historic and geographic range of case studies to illustrate key
concepts and debates, and featuring discussion questions and suggestions for
further reading, this is an essential introduction to the subject for students.
Olivera Simić is Associate Professor at Griffith Law School, Australia.

An Introduction to
Transitional Justice
SECOND EDITION
Edited by Olivera Simić
Second edition published 2021
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2021 selection and editorial matter, Olivera Simić; individual chapters, the
contributors
The right of Olivera Simić to be identified as the author of the editorial
material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been asserted
in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
First edition published by Routledge 2017
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Simić, Olivera, editor.
Title: An introduction to transitional justice / edited by Olivera Simić.
Description: 2nd edition. | Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY :
Routledge, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2020015104 | ISBN 9780367893668 (paperback) |
ISBN 9781003021414 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Transitional justice—History. | Transitional justice—
Methodology. | Reconciliation—Political aspects. | Reparation
(Criminal justice)
Classification: LCC K5250 .I587 2020 | DDC 340/.115—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020015104
ISBN: 978-0-367-53275-8 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-89366-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-02141-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Contents
Notes on contributors xi
Preface to the Second Edition xvii
1 An introduction to transitional justice 1
ANJA MIHR
1.1 Definition 1
1.2 Transitional justice measures 4
1.3 State of the art 7
1.4 Balancing transitional justice measures
and Realpolitik 10
1.5 Regional differences 13
1.6 Effect and impact of transitional justice 14
1.7 Transitional justice in transition and
transformation periods 20
1.8 Theory of transitional justice 21
1.9 Ways ahead for transitional justice 22
1.10 Discussion and tutorial questions 24
2 The development of transitional justice 29
ANDREW G REITER
2.1 Introduction 29
2.2 The historical roots of transitional justice 30
2.3 The Nuremberg Trials 31
2.4 Transitional justice in the third wave 32
2.5 A new era of international justice 35
2.6 The International Criminal Court 37
2.7 The justice cascade and universal jurisdiction 39
2.8 The permanency of transitional justice 41
2.9 Summary 43
2.10 Discussion and tutorial questions 44
3 International criminal justice 49
RACHEL KERR
3.1 Introduction 49
3.2 Definition 50
vi COnTEnTS
3.3 Brief overview 51
3.4 Aims and objectives 56
3.5 Points of contention and controversy 59
3.6 Current position 66
3.7 Summary and conclusion 68
3.8 Discussion and tutorial questions 68
4 Gender and transitional justice 73
ANNIKA BJÖRKDAHL AND JOHANNA MANNERGREN SELIMOVIC
4.1 Introduction 73
4.2 A gender perspective on transitional justice 74
4.3 Overview: accomplishments and shortcomings 76
4.4 Identifying gender-just gaps and points of contention 83
4.5 Conclusion 91
4.6 Summary 92
4.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 92
5 Truth and reconciliation commissions 97
AGATA FIJALKOWSKI
5.1 Definition and key components (truth/
reconciliation/commission) 97
5.2 Brief historical overview 98
5.3 Purpose 101
5.4 Points of contention and controversy 105
5.5 Key examples from Europe and Africa 108
5.6 Summary 116
5.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 117
6 Amnesty 123
AGATA FIJALKOWSKI
6.1 Introduction 123
6.2 Definition 126
6.3 Brief historical overview 127
6.4 Purpose 128
6.5 Points of contention and controversy 129
6.6 Amnesty laws 130
6.7 Examples of amnesty laws across the world 134
6.8 Current positions 140
6.9 Summary 142
6.10 Discussion and tutorial questions 143
7 Lustration and vetting 149
LAVINIA STAN
7.1 Introduction 149
7.2 Definition of lustration and vetting 149
COnTEnTS vii
7.3 Brief historical overview 151
7.4 Purpose: why countries opt for lustration and vetting 154
7.5 Points of contention and controversy 156
7.6 Current position 163
7.7 Conclusion 164
7.8 Summary 165
7.9 Discussion and tutorial questions 165
8 Local transitional justice: customary law, healing rituals, and
everyday justice 169
LARS WALDORF
8.1 Introduction 169
8.2 Definitions 171
8.3 Historical overview 173
8.4 Aims of local transitional justice 177
8.5 Controversy 179
8.6 Current positions 184
8.7 Conclusion 185
8.8 Summary 186
8.9 Discussion and tutorial questions 187
9 Reparations 193
JEMIMA GARCÍA-GODOS
9.1 Introduction 193
9.2 Definitions 194
9.3 Brief historical overview 198
9.4 Implementing reparations programs: points of
contention and controversy 203
9.5 Acknowledging the need for reparations 203
9.6 Defining target groups: victims and beneficiaries 204
9.7 Choosing the types of reparation 206
9.8 Operational and institutional design 207
9.9 Current debate: can reparations be transformative? 208
9.10 Conclusion 210
9.11 Summary 210
9.12 Discussion and tutorial questions 214
10 Transitional justice and peacebuilding 219
LIA KENT
10.1 Introduction and definitions 219
10.2 Historical overview: the evolution of peacebuilding
and transitional justice 220
10.3 Purpose, aims, and assumptions 222
10.4 Points of contention and controversy 223
10.5 Current positions 233
viii COnTEnTS
10.6 Short summary 236
10.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 236
11 Arts and transitional justice 241
OLIVERA SIMIĆ
11.1 Introduction 241
11.2 Defining arts in transitional justice and its purpose 242
11.3 Documentary theatre: using authentic testimonies
and sources 245
11.4 Photo exhibitions 253
11.5 Points of debate and controversy 259
11.6 Summary 261
11.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 262
12 Memorials and transitional justice 269
SUSANNE BUCKLEY-ZISTEL AND ANNIKA BJÖRKDAHL
12.1 Introduction 269
12.2 Key concepts, definitions, and approach 270
12.3 Overview 272
12.4 Conclusion 283
12.5 Summary 285
12.6 Discussion and tutorial questions 286
13 Measuring the success (or failure) of transitional justice 291
ANDREW G REITER
13.1 Introduction 291
13.2 How do we know if transitional justice works? 292
13.3 The micro or individual level: recognition, reparation,
and reconciliation 294
13.4 The meso or institutional level: justice, truth, and reform 297
13.5 The macro or national level: peace, democracy,
and human rights 300
13.6 Is doing something better than doing nothing? 305
13.7 Summary 306
13.8 Discussion and tutorial questions 307
14 Expanding transitional justice 311
LARS WALDORF
14.1 Introduction 311
14.2 Background 312
14.3 Expanding transitional justice 314
14.4 Transformative justice 321
14.5 Ongoing controversies 323
14.6 Summary 327
14.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 327
COnTEnTS ix
15 Doing the fieldwork: well-being of transitional justice researchers 333
OLIVERA SIMIĆ
15.1 Introduction 333
15.2 Difficulties of researching violence and its effects
on emotional well-being 335
15.3 ‘Covering up’ our emotions 341
15.4 Researching in transitional justice contexts 343
15.5 Why should our stories matter? 345
15.6 Conclusion 347
15.7 Discussion and tutorial questions 347
Index 353