National Prosecutions

Transitional Justice in Countries Emerging from Conflict: A Step Toward Sustainable Peace and Development

David Tolbert

5/31/2018

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development establishes an ambitious set of goals and targets, the achievement of which will be a formidable challenge for any country struggling with poverty and inequality. This challenge increases dramatically for countries currently experiencing or emerging from violent conflict. 

Tunisia to Extend Truth and Dignity Commission’s Mandate Until End of 2018

5/29/2018

Tunisia’s Ministry of Relations with Constitutional Bodies, Civil Society and Human Rights yesterday signed an agreement with the country’s Truth and Dignity Commission (IVD) to continue its mission until the end of December 2018.

The ministry’s decision came despite the parliament’s vote on 26 March to disband the commission by the end of May and to reject its request for extension supported by Transitional Justice law.

Justice for Syrian Victims Beyond Trials: The Need for New, Innovative Uses for Documentation of Human Rights Violations in Syria

5/21/2018

By looking at the documentation efforts of Syrian civil society organizations, this paper challenges the notion that criminal prosecution is the sole avenue of justice available for alleged crimes in Syria. Documentation could be used for important other avenues of justice, such as acknowledgement, fulfilling victims’ right to truth, and informing and preparing future transitional justice processes. This paper makes several recommendations for what can be done with documentation to support Syrian victims.

Date published: 
Mon, 05/21/2018 - 11:56

Conference Explores Uncertain Path Forward for Tunisia’s Specialized Criminal Chambers

5/10/2018

TUNIS—ICTJ hosted a conference on May 2 and 3 to address the current challenges facing Tunisia’s Specialized Criminal Chambers (SCC) as it proceeds to adjudicate cases of serious human rights violations committed under the former regime. The 90 guests who attended included members of Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission (Instance Vérité et Dignité, IVD), judges, lawyers, representatives from victims’ groups, and international transitional justice experts.

The Role of Victims in Criminal Proceedings

5/4/2018

This briefing paper focuses on the role of victims of human rights violations in criminal proceedings. This paper will provide examples of recent developments in the advancement of victim participation in criminal proceedings in international criminal law and domestic jurisdictions.

Date published: 
Fri, 05/04/2018 - 12:31

Transitional Justice in Tunisia: Tension Between the Need for Accountability and Due Process Rights

5/4/2018

Pursuing justice in a transitional context may take the form of multiple measures and goes beyond the pursuit of criminal prosecutions. Tunisia’s Basic Law on Transitional Law, adopted in December 2013, is a case in point. Despite its flaws, the the law introduced a fairly comprehensive framework to redress past abuses and to hold perpetrators to account.

Date published: 
Fri, 05/04/2018 - 11:59

Legal Frameworks for Specialized Chambers: Comparative Studies for the Tunisian Specialized Criminal Chambers

5/4/2018

In some contexts, the global community has resorted to international tribunals to prosecute the most serious past crimes, such as war crimes, crimes against of humanity, and genocide. While these international efforts contributed significantly to international justice, they were resource draining and located outside the countries in which the crimes took place. To overcome these issues, the so-called hybrid court was developed that combines domestic and international law and personnel. Tunisia has adopted a purely domestic hybrid court.

Date published: 
Fri, 05/04/2018 - 10:48

Kosovo Indicts Serbian Fighter for War Crimes

4/27/2018

Kosovo’s Special Prosecution filed an indictment against a Serbian fighter who allegedly committed war crimes in the village of Mala Krusa/Krushe e Vogel during a deadly two-day attack in 1999.

An international prosecutor from Kosovo's Special Prosecution Office filed an indictment on Thursday against a former Serbian fighter, identified only by the initials D.T., who allegedly committed war crimes in the village of Mala Krusa/Krusha e Vogel between March 25 and 27, 1999.

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