A Field of Dilemmas: Managing Transitional Justice in Peace Processes
This paper highlights that peace processes are an important, albeit atypical, arena for policymaking, generally and in relation to transitional justice. This paper examines how the concept of
transitional justice is understood, misunderstood, introduced, contested and managed within peace processes. It underscores that, in peace processes, there is a need to maintain an approach to transitional justice that is decidedly Janus-faced: looking at the past to acknowledge and honour victims and to confront difficult histories, while looking to the future to transcend the past and to achieve a transformative transition from conflict. Through this lens, the paper reflects on the approach and practice of the United Nations and other regional, national, local and international actors that support and accompany peace processes. (Note: This paper reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.)
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This paper highlights that peace processes are an important, albeit atypical, arena for policymaking, generally and in relation to transitional justice. This paper examines how the concept of
transitional justice is understood, misunderstood, introduced, contested and managed within peace processes. It underscores that, in peace processes, there is a need to maintain an approach to transitional justice that is decidedly Janus-faced: looking at the past to acknowledge and honour victims and to confront difficult histories, while looking to the future to transcend the past and to achieve a transformative transition from conflict. Through this lens, the paper reflects on the approach and practice of the United Nations and other regional, national, local and international actors that support and accompany peace processes. (Note: This paper reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations.)