2002/2003 Annual Report

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Letters

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As I look back over the past year, what is most striking is the extent to which human rights and international law were violated not only by authoritarian governments and insurgent groups, but also by democratic governments acting in the name of national security. Any actions by any parties that undermine human rights and international justice ultimately make the world a much more insecure and volatile place. More than ever, it is imperative that all governments acknowledge human rights and respect for international law as universally applicable—to all regimes, all countries, and all people.

It is important that political leaders and other individuals in positions of authority in their communities be held accountable for their actions. The tendency of certain governments and groups to deflect scrutiny by pointing to the culpability of others will be undermined if they know that on the subject of human rights they cannot act with impunity. Perpetrators must fear that mechanisms exist for the truth to emerge and that they will be held accountable for their crimes, and that justice—as a top priority for the global community—will be equitably served.

The International Center for Transitional Justice is uniquely equipped and positioned in the world of human rights organizations to effectively assist countries pursuing accountability for human rights abuse and seeking truth and justice. ICTJ staff members, who possess extraordinary legal and comparative expertise, assist truth commissions, special courts, NGOs, governments, and other groups to develop the very strategies—prosecution, documentation, reform, reparations, and reconciliation—necessary for promoting universal accountability. The field of transitional justice is relatively new, yet the Center has made significant contributions, developing and expanding the field with its own focused efforts in conjunction with those of its many local partners and colleague organizations. What I find remarkable in this well-developed field of human rights is that the ICTJ is not replicating any other work being done, either in its substantive focus on transitional justice or its functional niche as a provider of expertise and technical assistance.

The ICTJ has made impressive progress over the past two years. Its unique focus and approach to transitional justice has drawn and sustained the attention and enthusiasm of international and national donors, human rights organizations, intergovernmental organizations, legal and academic communities, the media, and activists and practitioners. Following a very successful launch, this year has been one of both institutional and programmatic expansion, which has enabled the Center to respond to the considerable increase in requests for assistance from governments, civil society groups, and other institutions.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of our generous supporters and to salute the ICTJ staff for their untiring and expert dedication to transitional justice. Without you, none of this important work would have been possible, and only with your continued help and support will we be able to effectively address the great challenges facing us in the upcoming year.

Vincent Mai
Chairman of the Board of Directors

FROM THE PRESIDENT

As the ICTJ embarks on its third year of operations, Iraq is the latest example of a complex postconflict country in transition. The ICTJ’s approach to transitional justice in Iraq illustrates our principled methodology in every country in which we work. First, transitional justice strategies must be fair and impartial. Second, any effort to confront past human rights abuse must involve extensive and broad consultations with victims and representatives from all sectors of society. Third, an essential part of any endeavor must aim to strengthen national institutions, enabling the rule of law to flourish in the long term.

We receive requests for our counsel and services almost daily, and we are enormously encouraged by this enthusiastic response. The ICTJ is currently engaged in more than 20 countries, but we continue to view each as a unique case with its own history, culture, political circumstances, and specific needs. We have reminded ourselves, time and again, that our job is not to be prescriptive, but to listen and consult widely before proposing transitional justice mechanisms for consideration.

The situation in postconflict Iraq adds weight to our firm belief in a holistic strategy comprising various judicial and nonjudicial mechanisms: accountability, truth-seeking, reconciliation, institutional reform, and reparations. If peace is to be sustained, our aim should be not merely to achieve justice, but to build a just society.

In reflecting on the past 12 months, I’m struck by the nature of our work, which is varied, challenging, often deeply moving, and always fascinating. Whether it be giving evidence at the sentencing hearing for Biljana Plavsic at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; talking with victims in the Aberdeen Amputee Camp in Freetown, Sierra Leone; or witnessing the first public hearing of the Ghana National Reconciliation
Commission, one is appalled at the brutality that continues to exist in the human family, but also heartened by the advances in calling perpetrators to account and finding ways to begin the process of reconciliation and peace building.

In this report, you will read about the ICTJ’s program work in much greater detail. With our reorganization, we have sought to consolidate and realign, giving greater attention to research, deepening our commitment to capacity building, expanding our Fellowship Program, and strengthening our emphasis on working with colleagues and partners in the growing professional field of transitional justice. We have also had to face the challenges of expansion—not only of staff and premises, but also of country program work, given the increasing demand for our services. In particular, developments in Iraq have served as a timely appeal for the Center to embark on a Middle East program. Although this initiative is challenging and urgent, we are proceeding cautiously, consulting every step of the way.

Without the generous support of our donors, the work of our dedicated and skilled staff, and the engagement of our Board of Directors, we could never attempt the very ambitious program of action on which we have embarked. We extend our warmest thanks to all.

Alex Boraine
President