CALL FOR PAPERS: Transitional Justice and Peace Mediation
CALL FOR PAPERS
Transitional Justice and Peace Mediation: Seeking Synergies
Works-in-Progress Workshop
Transitional Justice & Rule of Law Working Group
Convenors: Dr Catherine Turner (Durham University) & Dr Noha Aboueldahab (Brookings Institute)
This workshop seeks to interrogate the synergies that exist between transitional justice and peace mediation. Conceptually both share the common aim of (re)establishing justice and rule of law. Both fields have engaged with questions of justice, inclusion and reconciliation during and after violent conflict. Transitional justice is increasingly introduced by various actors in the context of mediated peace processes. And yet they are largely treated as distinct forms of activity and expertise.
The intersection or ‘nexus’ between the two is most often seen as arising in the context of the ‘peacemakers paradox’ whereby questions of justice must be addressed in the context of peace talks. The acceptance of transitional justice as an important element of peace mediation is recognised in the inclusion of a TJ expert on the UN’s Standby Team of Mediation Experts, available to provide expertise to UN led mediation processes. As such, both fields of activity operate within the same physical and metaphorical space. Transitional justice is often included as a normative priority in line with the UN’s Guidance on Effective Mediation. This results in Agreements that address the need for justice and accountability through the lens of international legal requirements and commit to creating recognised mechanisms to pursue those goals. As such, law is both a tool and a goal of transitional justice that shapes the design of peace mediation.
This workshop, which will be held virtually, seeks conceptual works in progress and case studies that address the relationship between peace mediation and transitional justice.
Questions to be addressed include, but are not limited to:
- What is the role of law in defining negotiating agendas when it comes to justice? At what point does or should law enter the negotiations?
- Are mediated peace talks an appropriate forum to decide on the requirements of justice?
- Who has the power to define transitional justice priorities in the context of peace mediation?
- What is the relationship between expertise and experience when it comes to negotiating transitional justice in the context of mediation?
- How can we integrate elite led and grass roots approaches in both fields more effectively in the context of peace processes?
- Could we draw more effectively on conceptual tools such as dialogue and negotiation to create a more holistic and connected approach to TJ in the context of peace mediation?
Dates:
Deadline for abstract submissions: 7 October 2021
Notification of acceptance: 22 October 2021
Deadline for paper submissions: 15 November (please share short versions of papers outlining key arguments (3-4000 words) to enable discussion and feedback.)
Date of workshop: 22 November 2021 (due to difference in time zones, the start and end times of the workshop will be determined after the selection of papers)
Submission:
Please submit your abstracts online here: TJ & Peace Mediation
Queries:
Catherine.turner@durham.ac.uk
