Over the past two decades, transitional justice has become an integral part of post-conflict peacebuilding and international peace operations. Both scholars and practitioners in the peacebuilding field have repeatedly underlined a mutually reinforcing relationship between peace, justice and peacebuilding. Despite the widely recognised importance of transitional justice in the unification of societies and the building of sustainable peace after largescale violence, critical discussion about its application in the context of international peace operations has remained in a rather marginal position compared to many other aspects of peacebuilding.
In a new CMC Finland Working Paper Vera Nieminen and our Research and Development Coordinator Nanna Hallikainen discuss the complex relationship between civilian crisis management and promoting transitional justice in fragile contexts and post-conflict environments.
Aspects important to consider when planning the operational activities of international assistance to TJ more broadly and in civilian crisis management operations in regard with TJ are:
- Understanding the political nature of transitional justice and recognising the risks of hybrid outcomes
- Adapting means to local and contextual realities with solid conflict analysis
- Enhancing more locally resonant approaches to justice in peace operations
- Including the expertise of civil society to its full potential
