Transitional Justice, International Assistance, and Civil Society
Missed Connections

Explores how international assistance shapes transitional justice around the world, and asks how civil society can play a larger role in them.

Paige Arthur (Edited by), Christalla Yakinthou (Edited by)

9781316617724, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 8 August 2019

294 pages, 2 tables
23 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.5 kg

In recent years, transitional justice has become increasingly international in its scope. Due to ongoing animosities, lack of political will, and the absence of credible governing or judicial institutions, international organizations, donors, and NGOs advocate for transitional justice initiatives like truth commissions or special tribunals - alongside national actors, like civil society and victims groups. This book examines how international assistance affects transitional justice, and where power truly lies in making decisions about justice for victims of massive human rights abuse. The book finds that government donors typically lack strategies for transitional justice, they struggle with information deficits, and they are constrained by short-term approaches that do not give enough attention to what is often a weak and divided civil society sector. All the authors have both practical and scholarly perspectives on transitional justice. Country case studies are provided, including descriptions of the challenges in developing data on transitional justice financing.

Introduction: changing contexts of international assistance to transitional justice Paige Arthur and Christalla Yakinthou
Part I. Understanding Cases: 1. From reconciliation to rule of law: the shifting landscape of international TJ assistance in Guatemala Anita Isaacs and Rachel Schwartz
2. Fighting windmills, ignoring dragons: international assistance to civil society in post-conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina Christalla Yakinthou
3. Sending the wrong signal: international assistance and the decline of civil society action on TJ in Morocco Paige Arthur
4. Off the agenda as Uganda moves towards development: Uganda's transitional justice process Tania Bernath
5. Hybrid court, hybrid peacebuilding in Cambodia Laura McGrew
Part II. Conceptualizing the Connections: 6. Reframing friction: a four-lens framework for explaining shifts, fractures, and gaps in transitional justice Christalla Yakinthou
Why do donors choose to fund transitional justice? Paige Arthur
Conclusion: refocusing on civil society: how to make – not miss – connections Paige Arthur and Christalla Yakinthou.

Subject Areas: International humanitarian law [LBBS], International human rights law [LBBR], Public international law [LBB], International law [LB]