Resource Search | International Center for Transitional Justice

Can a Recent UN Resolution on Slavery Help Entrench a Culture of Accountability in Africa?

On March 25, 2026, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution is an integral part, if not the culmination, of a wider push by African states for reparations for historical injustices, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, and genocide.

05/04/26

Tafadzwa Christmas

A sculpture featuring five human figures connected by chains and standing in a square hole in the ground

Opinion

Facilitators in Training Prepare to Lead Community Dialogues Across Syria

Fourteen members of Syrian civil society recently gathered for a five-day workshop on community facilitation and transitional justice organized by ICTJ and its partners in the Bridges of Truth project. The workshop marked a major step in the preparation for extensive community dialogues that will take place across Syria in the months ahead.

04/21/26

A women stands in front of photographs hanging on a wall

In Focus

Why Victims Must Lead the Way to Peace in Sudan

As the world marks the third anniversary of the brutal war in Sudan, it is a moment to reflect on a conflict that rarely receives the media attention it deserves and to consider the millions of Sudanese caught in cycles of violence.

04/15/26

Ilaria Martorelli

Men and women carry large boxes and sacks on their heads

Opinion

Urgent Appeal to End Ongoing Israeli Attacks in Lebanon

Recent Israeli strikes in Beirut and other populated areas in Lebanon, among the conflict's most intense so far, have destroyed critical infrastructure and devastated civilian communities. ICTJ stands unequivocally with the Lebanese people and all victims across the region and calls for an immediate end to all attacks on and threats to civilian communities and infrastructure.

04/09/26

A thick cloud of smoke rises over a city skyline in daylight.

Opinion

Caught in the Crossfire: Civilians, Rights, and Accountability in the Iran War

ICTJ is watching with grave concern the unfolding war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran and its devastating ripple effects across the wider region. Over a month into the conflict, the human cost is staggering. We at ICTJ reaffirm the international principles that govern our shared world and stand unequivocally with all victims across the region.

04/07/26

A boy sits on a road, back facing the camera

Opinion

Human Rights Defenders from Sudan and the Wider Region Harness the Power of Digital, Open-Source Investigative Tools

ICTJ recently convened human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers from Libya, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen for a workshop on digital, open-source investigations. Held on November 3-8 in Kampala, Uganda, the course trained participants on open-source tools with a view to strengthening their work investigating, documenting, and monitoring human rights violations.

03/17/26

three people seat together look at a computer screen

In Focus

ICTJ Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Justice at the Annual January for Justice Leaders Event

On January 28, 2026, ICTJ held its annual January for Justice Leaders benefit dinner in New York City, an event celebrating leaders advancing justice around the world. This edition also marked the beginning of ICTJ’s 25th anniversary year and served as an opportunity to look back on a quarter century spent standing alongside victims, civil society, and institutions in the pursuit of truth, accountability, and lasting peace after mass atrocities.

02/19/26

Three women sit on chairs facing a room holding microphones

In Focus

The Enduring Fight for Justice for Victims in War: An Interview with ICTJ's Fernando Travesí-Sanz

The outlet PassBlue recently interviewed ICTJ Executive Director Fernando Travesí-Sanz about the challenges and breakthroughs ICTJ has encountered while facilitating a victims-led path to transitional justice in post-Assad Syria. Travesí-Sanz compared the experience to the lessons learned from Colombia’s post-conflict transition, revealing the nuanced, fragile nature of both retroactive justice and long-term peacebuilding.

02/06/26

by Arthur Bassas, PassBlue

Portrait of ICTJ Executive Director Fernando Travesí-Sanz

In Focus

ICTJ Report Calls for Inclusion of Displaced Persons in South Sudan’s Transitional Justice Process

South Sudanese refugees and displaced persons currently comprise 40 percent of the country’s total population. Yet, these groups have been largely excluded from ongoing policy discussions related to South Sudan's transitional justice process in South Sudan. A new ICTJ report aims to amplify the perspectives and expectations of these groups and ensure they are included in the process's design and implementation.

01/26/26

several women in colorful dresses crouch around an open fire pit, cooking food in a large pan.

Press Release

‘Thoughts on Our Beloved Country’: A Call for Inclusion of Displaced Persons in South Sudan’s Transitional Justice Process

This study aims to communicate the perspectives, expectations, and needs of South Sudanese displaced persons to relevant policymakers and thereby inform the ongoing transitional justice efforts emanating from South Sudan’s 2018 revitalized peace agreement. It also provides lessons lea...

01/26/26

Agatha Ndonga

Report

The Expert’s Choice 2025 Year in Review

Throughout 2025, ICTJ’s experts offered thoughtful analysis on conflicts and major political developments in more than 10 countries as part of the World Report newsletter. Their insightful commentaries shed light on the obstacles that victims, civil society, and their partners must navigate as they pursue sustainable peace and justice. In this edition, we look back on the past year through the Expert’s Choice column.

01/06/26

Collage of feature images from Experts Choice pieces in 2025

Opinion

Story of Change: Victims Achieve a New Memorial Day in Ethiopia’s Somali Region

On July 28, 2025, the Somali Regional State Council passed a resolution designating April 6 as Victims’ Memorial Day, formally recognizing those who experienced violence and human rights violations across Ethiopia’s Somali Region. For years, victims and civil society actors, with support from ICTJ and other international partners, have persistently advocated for this acknowledgment, which marks a milestone in Ethiopia’s journey toward accountability and repair.

12/10/25

Four individuals stand in a room and next to a banner facing the camera and smiling; two of them hold a publication

In Focus

Africa’s Gen Z Challenges the Status Quo

The death of eight women in childbirth at a hospital in Agadir this past August sent shockwaves through Morocco. The news crystallized national anger over deteriorating public services as well as persistent high unemployment and corruption. Years of frustration erupted into the streets as thousands of mostly young Moroccans gathered in cities and towns across the nation to protest and to demand accountability and institutional reform.

12/02/25

Clément Eyraud

A crowd of people gather in the street in the evening; many hold up illuminated cell phones

Opinion

Gender Justice and Accountability: An Analysis of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy

This report assesses the gender sensitivity of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP). Drawing on continental practice and scholarship, it identifies opportunities for AU member states, civil society, and donors to strengthen the policy’s implementation and its responsi...

11/18/25

Report

Home in Syria: A New Chapter for Justice and Reconciliation

ICTJ and its partners in the Bridges of Truth project presented in Damascus the findings from their recent report on the first community dialogues held in Syria since the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024. On October 7, victims and family members, civil society actors, representatives from the country’s nascent transitional justice commissions, government officials, and international partners gathered to reflect on the lessons learned from the dialogues and the path forward for truth, justice, and accountability in Syria.

11/11/25

Six panelists sit in chairs on a stage facing a room full of people and the camera

In Focus

The Conviction of Abd-Al-Rahman and What It Means for Victims Amid Ongoing Atrocities in Sudan

On October 6, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found former Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kushayb) guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur between August 2003 and March 2004. This landmark verdict counters cycles of impunity in Sudan and sends a powerful message that these crimes are not tolerated.

11/04/25

Ilaria Martorelli

Opinion

The Prospect for Justice in Sudan: An Interview with ICTJ’s Ilaria Martorelli

Despite the enormous challenges, Sudanese civil society and other stakeholders are prioritizing transitional justice, acknowledging the need to address past injustices to end the cycle of conflict in their country. ICTJ continues to support them as they envision and design victim-centered, gender-sensitive, and inclusive strategies. Leading these efforts is ICTJ's Ilaria Martorelli. In this interview, she discusses the prospects for lasting peace, accountability, and repair in Sudan.

10/22/25

by Karsten Rynearson

A woman builds a makeshift shelter made from tree branches and clothing.

In Focus

ICTJ and Bridges of Truth Commemorate Eights Years of Partnership in Damascus

ICTJ and its partners in the Bridges of Truth project hosted an event in Damascus on October 7 to present findings from their recent report on the community dialogues held in April in Syria and to commemorate the project’s eighth anniversary.

10/06/25

A women seated a table where other are also sitting is speaking; she is reaching out with one arm and holding papers in the other hand.

Press Release

An ICTJ-Led International Dialogue on Syria’s New Justice Commissions Explores Opportunities for Lasting Peace

ICTJ, in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently convened the first international dialogue in Geneva in support of Syria’s two new justice commissions. From July 10 to 11, members of the National Commissions for Transitional Justice and for the Missing joined representatives of Syrian victim groups and experts and practitioners from around the world to discuss the present opportunities and challenges for peace and justice in Syria and how best to support the nascent institutions in fulfilling their mandates and advancing acknowledgment, truth, accountability, and repair.

08/13/25

International Dialogue Held in Geneva, 2025.

In Focus

In Kenya, Violence Against Protesters Should Serve to Revive Scuttled Police Reforms

The police response to the peaceful anti-government protests in Kenya over the past year has been deadly and brutal. Their actions have rocked the country and reaffirmed the 2013 findings of the Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (KTJRC) that state security agencies, particularly the police, have historically used excessive and disproportionate force and “been the main perpetrators of bodily integrity violations of human rights in Kenya including massacres, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, and sexual violence.”

08/04/25

Agatha Ndonga

A man back facing camera holds up a Kenya flag

Opinion

To Syria’s New Justice Commissions: Victims Need You Now

Across Syria today, we continue to witness human rights violations and abuses that run counter to the very principles upon which the revolution was built. In particular, recent violence in the coast and Sweida has deepened the sense of fear and mistrust already felt by many communities. Meanwhile, Syria's new transitional justice commissions have been working hard to lay the foundations of their mandates. Now, at this critical juncture, they must show that they are ready to lead and first and foremost to serve victims.

07/31/25

Nousha Kabawat

A large outdoor mural of a man's face is painted over with the Syrian revolution flag. Next to it, the English "Free" is painted in green.

Opinion

In Community Dialogues, Syrians Share Their Stories and Aspirations for Justice

At the end of April in Syria, dozens of local residents in several cities and towns sat down together for the first time to finally speak about their experiences during the 14-year conflict that tore society apart and resulted in countless human rights violations. These community dialogues, organized by ICTJ in partnership with the Bridges of Truth project, provided a safe space for participants to share their stories and hardships, discuss their needs, and express their hopes for justice and reconciliation.

07/18/25

Three women and a man seated in chairs arranged in a semicircle.

In Focus

ICTJ Convenes International Dialogue in Geneva to Support Syria’s National Commissions for Transitional Justice and the Missing

On July 10 and 11, ICTJ convened a high-level dialogue in Geneva that brought members of Syria’s newly established transitional justice commissions together with international experts and representatives from Syrian civil society represented by the Bridges of Truth project and victims’ groups and multilateral institutions. The two-day event provided guidance to the commissioners as they develop and implement their mandates and supported Syrian-led efforts to build transparent and inclusive institutions.

07/09/25

A woman seated in a chair gestures as she speaks to others seated around in a circle.

Press Release

AU-EU Expert Seminar on Transitional Justice Concludes with Renewed Commitment to Advance Reparations

The African Union and the European Union successfully concluded the fifth AU-EU expert seminar on transitional justice, held from June 19 to 20, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. Hosted under the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa, the seminar brought together more than 50 experts, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives to discuss the critical role of reparations in fostering justice, reconciliation, and sustainable peace.

06/26/25

Group Photo Taken During the 2025 AU-EU Seminar on Transitional Justice

In Focus

AU and EU Hold Expert Seminar on Reparations and Transitional Justice in Africa

Abuja, June 19, 2025—The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Consortium implementing the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA), led by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and co-implemented by the Africa Transitional Justice...

06/19/25

The logos for the African Union and the European Union on top of a series of decorative lines and the title "Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa"

Press Release

Gambians Break the Silence on Sexual Violence in ICTJ-Held Community Dialogues

From May 25 to June 1, 2025, ICTJ held a series of community dialogues in three rural regions of the Gambia on sexual and gender-based violence, including crimes committed during the Yahya Jammeh dictatorship. The dialogues brought together 122 individuals, including community leaders, victims, and young people, to share their experiences and discuss pathways for justice.

06/17/25

In Focus

Envisioning Transitional Justice Approaches for Transformational Impact: The AU-EU Experts’ Seminar on Transitional Justice, Brussels, June 2024

This report summarizes the key issues discussed at the fourth African Union-European Union experts’ seminar on transitional justice. Convened by ICTJ in Brussels in June 2024, the seminar brought together experts from the two regions to share experiences and to explore how transitiona...

06/11/25

Report

A Landmark Court Decision Opens New Avenues for Accountability for Apartheid-Era Crimes in South Africa

On April 14, 2025, the Johannesburg High Court handed down a landmark judgment. From his bench in courtroom 4D, Judge Dario Dosio dismissed the defense team’s objections to the inclusion of murder and apartheid as crimes against humanity charges in the indictment against two individuals accused of a deadly 1982 attack on anti-apartheid student activists. In so doing, the court cleared the way for crimes against humanity charges to be pursued in a South African domestic court for the first time. It also opened the door to the first ever prosecution of apartheid as a crime against humanity anywhere in the world.

06/03/25

Howard Varney

Several people wearing T-shirts seated with backs camera in a courtroom and facing toward the judge who seated in an elevated stand and is facing the camera and audience

Opinion

ICTJ Welcomes Establishment of Syria’s New National Commissions for Transitional Justice and the Missing

ICTJ welcomes the formation of two new independent institutions in Syria: the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for the Missing. Established by presidential decree, these commissions represent a historic step forward in acknowledging the demands of victims and their families and formally responding to the widespread violations committed in Syria over the last decades.

05/22/25

Demonstrators gather around a three-dimensional sculpture of the English word "Truth," waving placards.

Opinion

ICTJ’s Award-Winning Film About a Family’s Journey After a Disappearance in Syria

ICTJ has announced the digital release of its award-winning short animated documentary that explores the trauma and resilience of families of the disappeared in Syria. After an extensive tour of international film festivals in Asia, Europe, and North America, the acclaimed film recently returned home for its first screening in Syria. Now, it is available to audiences the world over on the ICTJ website and YouTube channel.

05/15/25

Screenshot from the animated film featuring a group of people protesting in the street, waving placards

Press Release

Tomorrow We Continue — Full Movie

This award-winning short, animated documentary follows a young mother of two whose husband was detained and disappeared by security forces in Syria some years ago. The film takes the viewer on her journey as a refugee searching for safety in Berlin and depicts the daily struggles she en...

05/14/25

Videos

Amid Epic Crisis, Sudan Marks Double Anniversary of Revolution and War

This April, Sudan marked a double anniversary: one of the 2019 revolution that toppled President Omar al Bashir’s decades-long repressive regime, the other of the 2023 outbreak of the ongoing civil war that has devastated the country. These contrasting occasions bring with them great hopes and deep pain. They also raise pressing questions: How long will Sudan have to suffer while the world’s attention seems turned the other way? How long will the voices of Sudanese who yearn for peace and justice continue to be sidelined?

05/02/25

by Ilaria Martorelli, Yasir Masoud, and Emma Merritt-Cuneo

People gather in front of government buildings in Khartoum waiving Sudanese flags.

Opinion

New ICTJ Report Explores Pathways for Transitional Justice in Yemen

Since 2014, conflict in Yemen has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, destroyed the economy, and exacerbated systemic marginalization, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes. Yet currently, transitional justice and reconciliation take up little space in the Yemeni political arena. In this context, ICTJ has released a new report that explores pathways to a just and sustainable peace in Yemen.

03/17/25

The sun shines into an urban courtyard of what it appears to be residential buildings.

In Focus

Opening Space for Transitional Justice in Yemen

This report explores pathways for transitional justice in Yemen, emphasizing victims’ experiences, political dynamics, and existing justice mechanisms. It examines national and local efforts, including mediation and reconciliation initiatives, and highlights the role of Yemeni civil s...

03/17/25

Report

ICTJ Statement on the Recent Massacre in Syria

ICTJ is outraged by the recent massacre in Syria, where over 1,000 civilians were brutally killed in yet another wave of violence. This appalling crime underscores the urgent and undeniable need to protect civilians and provide justice and accountability.

03/11/25

Opinion

Hopes Heighten for Justice and Accountability in Syria

The fall of the Assad regime marks the beginning of a long-overdue transformation in Syria. For the first time in decades, space has opened to speak freely about justice, accountability, and reconciliation. It is a moment filled with uncertainty and pain, but also one of immense hope.

03/03/25

Nousha Kabawat

Large crowd of people in a city street some holding and waving the Syrian flags

Opinion

ICTJ Facilitates Historic Meeting Between Syria's President and Families of the Missing and Detainees

On February 1, 2025, ICTJ facilitated a meeting between family members of the missing and detainees and Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and the minister of foreign affairs, Asaad Al-Shaibani, at the Presidential Palace in Damascus. Attendees presented a number of specific urgent demands related to the missing and forcibly disappeared, while President Ahmed Al-Sharaa underscored the government’s commitment to the issue.

02/11/25

Two men are seated at the front of a large elegant room. Another 10 or so people are seated in chairs along the side walls.

In Focus

Justice and Democracy Are Taking Root in South Sudan

South Sudan’s transition to democratic governance through a highly anticipated, first-ever post-independence general election has to wait once again for another two years. Despite this latest extension, the country has achieved notable milestones in its transitional justice process.

02/03/25

Agatha Ndonga

people gather holding South Sudanese flags

Opinion

ICTJ-led Events Spotlight the Needs of Syrian and Ugandan Victims at the ICC’s Annual Assembly of State Parties

On December 2 to 6, 2024, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Assembly of States Parties—the court’s management oversight and legislative body—held its 23rd session in The Hague. As in previous years, ICTJ took an active part, and its experts joined many of the discussions sharing their knowledge and insight. ICTJ organized two side events, one focusing on Syrian victims and another on reparations for victims in Northern Uganda.

12/18/24

people in business attire seated around a table

In Focus

ICTJ Statement: A Historic Moment for Syria and the Path Ahead

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after 53 years of authoritarian rule marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice, peace, and human rights. While this transition opens the door to new possibilities, it also underscores the immense obstacles and responsibilities that lie ahead.

12/17/24

A large crowd of people in the street, many waving the Syrian flag

Opinion

The Accelerating Tragedy of Syria’s Displaced: Failed Commitments, Forced Returns, and the Normalization of International Crimes

Drawing from data and testimonies of Syrians both inside the country and in the diaspora collected by civil society organizations, this report looks at the justice needs of Syrian victims of human rights violations in the context of ongoing debates on refugee returns. It critically ex...

12/17/24

Bridges of Truth

Illustration depicting an elderly woman carrying an armchair on her back

Report

ICTJ Accompanies Sudanese Victims to ICC War Crimes Trial

ICTJ accompanied more than 10 Sudanese victim stakeholders to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to attend the closing statements in the case of The Prosecutor v. Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ("Ali Kushayb"). The statements took place on December 11 to 13. ICTJ supported the ICC in the selection of the stakeholders, who were chosen for their strong ties with affected communities.

12/11/24

A man wearing black plastic-framed glasses and a suit sits in a chair turning his slightly looking directly into the camera.

Press Release

Amplifying Redress: The Ongwen Reparations Order and Justice for Victims of International Crimes in Uganda

In February 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered its long-awaited reparations order in the case of The Prosecutor vs. Dominic Ongwen. Nearly two decades after the ICC intervened in Northern Uganda, this milestone decision both acknowledges the suffering of survivors and underscores the complexities and limitations of international justice. For victims who have waited for justice for over two decades, the order has been bittersweet.

12/03/24

Opinion

'Some Level of Peace': Addressing Intercommunal Violence Through Customary Justice in South Sudan

Customary justice is the primary way in which most communities in South Sudan resolve disputes. Its ability, however, to deal with massive human rights violations is limited due to the complexity of intercommunal violence and a lack of clarity on its proper role. This report contends ...

11/12/24

Agatha Ndonga

A man stands facing a table around which several men are seated.

Report

ICTJ Releases New Report on Customary Justice in South Sudan

In countries where state institutions have limited reach, customary and informal justice is often the most common way in which people resolve disputes and seek justice. Given its prominence, it is considered to be an important element of a people-centered approach to building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. An understanding of the relationship between customary justice and transitional justice, however, remains underdeveloped. A new ICTJ report provides valuable empirical, qualitative research on the topic, in the context of South Sudan.

11/12/24

Press Release

From Gaza to Lebanon: The Conflict's Heavy Toll on a Fragile Country

The ongoing war in the Middle East is not an isolated event; it represents a 75-year cycle of violence marked by historical grievances, geopolitical struggles, and humanitarian crises. In the latest episode of this tragic story, Lebanon has become the newest battlefield. So far, the conflict has caused widespread destruction, killed or injured thousands, and displaced over a million in Lebanon. The country now faces many daunting questions about reconstruction, reparations for victims, and the type of society that will emerge in the war’s aftermath.

11/04/24

by Fernando Travesí and Nour El Bejjani

Opinion

A New Digital Approach to Human Rights Documentation and Advocacy in Libya and Yemen

In this era of technological transformation, it is critically important to develop digital strategies for documenting human rights violations, analyzing data for accountability or reparations purposes, and safely advocating for human rights online. This is particularly true in contexts where victims, human rights actors, and members of the media live in fear. To this end, ICTJ has recently led trainings for human rights activists in conflict-affected countries on open-source investigation tools to help them do their work more effectively.

09/27/24

A standing woman holds a certificate flanked by several others. All smile facing the camera.

In Focus

‘The Search for People’s Well-Being’: Mainstreaming a Psychosocial Approach to Transitional Justice

The field of transitional justice is increasingly recognizing the relevance of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in contexts of massive human rights violations. Despite growing advocacy and awareness at the global policy level, however, the field lacks a systematic approa...

09/19/24

Virginie Ladisch and Shayna Lewis

an image of colorful painting featuring a young girl

Report

Uganda’s Long Road to Accountability: The Kwoyelo Verdict and Lessons for Future International Crimes Prosecutions

On August 13, 2024, the International Crimes Division of the High Court of Uganda delivered its long-awaited verdict in the case of Uganda versus Thomas Kwoyelo, a former commander and colonel in the rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army. Mr. Kwoyelo was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious crimes committed during the decades-long armed conflict in Northern Uganda between the LRA and the Ugandan government. This judgment represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice and accountability and a crucial step toward acknowledging the suffering of the victims of these horrific mass atrocities.

08/21/24

A man sits at a witness stand in a court room

In Focus

A Cross-Country Caravan Inspires Gambian Youth to Take a Lead on the Path to Justice and Reconciliation

Almost eight years since The Gambia's former President Yahya Jammeh left power, the country is still seeking justice for the human rights abuses committed during his 22-year dictatorship. In May 2023, the Ministry of Justice released a plan to implement the recommendations of the country's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. While the plan promises to deliver justice and repair harms, for it to have its intended impact, it requires broad public participation in the process, especially that of young people. With that in mind, ICTJ has partnered with the UN Peacebuilding Fund on a project to encourage Gambian youth to take a leading role in this process and the country's future.

08/20/24

by Patience Mama Loum

Seven young Gambian women smile for a photo

In Focus

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