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The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) assists countries pursuing accountability for past mass atrocity or human rights abuse. More

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Transitions

TJ News and Analysis from around the World

Under the Lens

Transitional Justice Course | Rabat, Morocco

 

 

 


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The ICTJ is pleased to announce its 2008 Francophone Intensive Course on Transitional Justice (TJ), a 3-week course based in Rabat, Morocco. The course will be executed in collaboration with the Center for Cross Cultural Leaning (CCCL).

OBJECTIVES
The course aims to build transitional justice capacity and foster long-term partnerships among TJ practitioners.

TOPICS
The course covers key topics in transitional justice theory and practice, integrating gender-based considerations. Participants will receive a rigorous theoretical introduction to the field, coupled with case studies to enhance practical knowledge including: ongoing challenges of prosecutions, truth commissions, institutional reforms, and reparations. The curriculum will be supplemented with weekly sessions led by expert field practitioners, site visits to local NGOs, and case studies of transitional justice initiatives across Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

CANDIDATES
Course candidates will be selected from among lawyers, journalists, teachers, human rights professionals, social workers, or other democracy practitioners in similar professions from francophone countries grappling with transitional justice issues. Participants must have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that their society deals with the past in a just and responsible manner.

SELECTION PROCESS
The selection of fellows is rigorous and will be undertaken by a team of ICTJ experts and peer reviewers. Participants will be expected to contribute to relevant activities in his or her country/region after course completion.

For more information, click here

Analysis: Iraq's "Accountability & Justice" Law

On January 12, 2008, the Iraqi parliament passed the "Law of the Supreme National Commission for Accountability and Justice." The new law replaces the earlier framework governing Iraq's controversial De-Ba'athification policies, and is the culmination of an epic struggle between De-Ba'athification opponents and supporters lasting more than eighteen months.

The ICTJ is one of few international organizations to have monitored De-Ba'athification issues closely since 2003. The Center has drafted a document, Briefing Paper: Iraq's New "Accountability and Justice" Law, which analyzes key aspects of the new law as well as its potential problems.

Transitional Justice in The News

TJ in print | Fujimori accused of kidnapping Peru's PM

While testifying at Fujimori's trial in Lima on human rights charges, Peruvian Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo accused former president Alberto Fujimori of ordering a paramilitary death squad to kidnap him. del Castillo said the former president also tried to assassinate the current president, Alan Garcia, in 1992. Fujimori's current trial relates to two massacres carried out by the paramilitary faction La Colina, in which 25 people died. The former president denies the charges, saying he knew nothing of the activities of the paramilitary group.

See, BBC

ICTJ in print | Lasting Legacy of Suharto

As Indonesia marks the death of its former president, survivors of Suharto's military backed government have sparked a debate about whether the former leader should be forgiven. Between half a million to a million people were killed and hundreds of thousands of others were jailed under Suharto's regime. Yet a call, led by Amien Rais, the former speaker of parliament who was one of the first politicians to call for Suharto to step down in 1998, has been raised for an official pardon for the late leader.

See, Al Jazeera

TJ in print | Liberia: Prince Johnson Sets Condition To Appear Before Truth Commission

Prince Johnson, former leader of the defunct Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) now Nimba County Senior Senator, says he is prepared to appear before Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission only if those who instigated the 1980 coup d'etat and killed President Tolbert are made to appear before the Commission. In addition, Sen. Johnson stated that his appearance before the truth-seeking body will cause many big names to come out. The Commission was launched in June 2006 and has a two-year mandate to complete its work.

See, AllAfrica

TJ in print | UN Approves 267 Million Dollars for ICTR Budget

The UN General Assembly has allocated a budget of $267 million to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for the 2008-2009 period. This period, according to a Security Council resolution adopted in 2003, will bring the end of the Tribunal's first instance trials and the beginning of its appeal cases. Although staffing for the Tribunal will be maintained for 2008, the approved budget plans on cutting 339 positions-approximately 30% of personnel-in 2009. The ICTR was established in 1997 to prosecute those who played a role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

See, AllAfrica

TJ in print | Annan, Human Rights Groups Call for Truth Commission in Kenya

Following calls from former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and human rights groups-including the ICTJ-rival Kenyan leaders have initially agreed to support the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate abuses committed following disputed polls in the country's recent presidential election. The crisis following President Kibaki's contested victory in December 27th polls has left 1,000 dead and has displaced some 400,000 Kenyans. According to Annan, the proposed commission would include both Kenyan and international judges and would involve investigators from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

See, AllAfrica

TJ in print | Charles Taylor Trial Resumes

The war crimes trial against ex-Liberian leader Charles Taylor resumed on January 7th, after months of delay. Judges in the Hague-based trial called for a five-month adjournment to give new defense lawyers time to prepare their case. Taylor fired his previous counsel, based on claims that he would not receive a fair trial. He is the first African head-of-state to face an international court and stands accused of responsibility for the actions of RUF rebels during the 1991-2001 civil war in Sierra Leone, which included unlawful killings, sexual slavery, mutilation, use of child soldiers, and looting.

See, The Guardian Unlimited

ICTJ in print | Controversial De-Ba'athification Law Takes Effect in Iraq

On January 12th, the Iraqi parliament passed the "Law of the Supreme National Commission for Accountability and Justice", which replaces the earlier framework governing Iraq's controversial De-Ba'athification policies. The controversial legislation will allow thousands of Hussein-era officials-who were fired after the American-led invasion of Iraq-to return to government jobs, but also strengthens measures against many others. The ICTJ drafted a document, Briefing Paper: Iraq's New "Accountability and Justice" Law, which analyzes key aspects of the new law as well as its potential problems.

See, St. Petersburg Times

TJ in print | Mexico Launches Search For 'Dirty War' Evidence

Forensic investigators and human rights activists launched an exhumation effort at a former military base in Atoyac de Alvarez, a city northwest of Acapulco, where they believe the remains of some 400 victims of Mexico's so-called "dirty war" may be buried. This is one of the largest searches to date for disappeared victims of atrocities allegedly committed by the country's military from the 1960s to the mid-1980s. Rights groups have long called for formal investigations into crimes committed during this period-during which some 1,200 disappearances occurred-and hope that findings in Atoyac de Alvarez will bolster momentum for national and international justice hearings to take shape.

See, The International Herald Tribune
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