The challenge of justice and accountability is often considered one of the most vexing issues in peace negotiations. Those involved in peace negotiations may often be responsible for past atrocities.
The conference aimed to reflect on the lessons emerging from past peace negotiations in the arena of accountability, and draw lessons for the future. It addressed not only the possibilities of criminal justice, but also the range of non-criminal methods – such as truth commissions, reparations and vetting – which are sometimes included in a peace agreement.In this way, it seeked positively to influence peace negotiations in the future that must grapple with these issues.
News
The Challenge of Justice and Accountability
Background materials
Guidance notes and thematic reports
Christine Bell, Negotiating Justice? Human Rights and Peace Agreements, International Council on Human Rights Policy, 2006.
Priscilla Hayner, Negotiating Justice: Guidance for Mediators, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and International Center for Transitional Justice, February 2009.
Human Rights Watch, Selling Justice Short: Why Accountability Matters for Peace, July 2009.
Country case studies published by the International Center of Transitional Justice
DRC: Laura Davis and Priscilla Hayner, Difficult Peace, Limited Justice: Ten Years of Peacemaking in the DRC, International Center for Transitional Justice, March 2009.
Indonesia: Scott Cunliffe, Eddie Riyadi, Raimondus Arwalembun, and Hendrik Boli Tobi, Negotiating Peace in Indonesia: Prospects for Building Peace and Upholding Justice in Maluku and Aceh, Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy, International Center for Transitional Justice, and Initiative for Peacebuilding, June 2009.
Liberia: Priscilla Hayner, Negotiating Peace in Liberia: Preserving the Possibility for Justice, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and International Center for Transitional Justice, December 2007.
Nepal: Warisha Farasat and Priscilla Hayner, Negotiating Peace in Nepal: Implications for Justice, International Center for Transitional Justice and Initiative for Peacebuilding, June 2009.
Sierra Leone: Priscilla Hayner, Negotiating Peace in Sierra Leone: Confronting the Justice Challenge, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and International Center for Transitional Justice, December 2007.
