Peace and Justice
1. Edition August 2007
256 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd
In recent years there has been a tendency to intervene in the
military, political and economic affairs of failed and failing
states and those emerging from violent conflict. In many cases this
has been accompanied by some form of international judicial
intervention to address serious and widespread abuses of
international humanitarian law and human rights in recognition of
an explicit link between peace and justice.
A range of judicial and non-judicial approaches has been adopted
in recognition of the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all model
through which to seek accountability. This book considers the
merits and drawbacks of these different responses and sets out an
original framework for analysing transitional societies and
transitional justice mechanisms.
Taking as its starting point the post-Second World War tribunals
at Nuremburg and Tokyo, the book goes on to discuss the creation of
ad hoc international tribunals in the 1990s, hybrid/mixed courts,
the International Criminal Court, domestic trials, truth
commissions and traditional justice mechanisms. With examples drawn
from across the world, including the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda,
Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the DRC, it
presents a compelling and comprehensive study of the key responses
to war crimes.
Peace and Justice is a timely contribution in a world where an
ever-increasing number of post-conflict societies are grappling
with the complex issues of transitional justice. It will be a
valuable resource for students, scholars, practitioners and
policy-makers seeking to understand past violations of human rights
and the most effective ways of addressing them.
this book is essential reading for students, scholars,
practitioners and policy makers concerned with implementing
transitional justice in the twenty-first century."
Political Studies Review
"An excellent overview of the range of alternatives that have
been used to deal with the perpetrators of mass atrocities. Kerr
and Mobekk provide a timely and comprehensive analysis in an arena
that is characterized by rapid change. This book will be a great
resource for students and practitioners attempting to understand
the complexity of the institutions that have shaped the pursuit of
transitional justice in recent decades."
Leslie Vinjamuri, School of Oriental and African Studies,
University of London
"This is an essential volume for scholars and students alike.
Its sweeping scope offers a thorough survey of the proliferation
and diversity of mechanisms for accountability following armed
conflict."
Chandra Lekha Sriram, University of East London
"This is a must read for undergraduates and graduates who are
looking for a thorough introduction to the institutions that seek
to bring peace through justice. Clear, concise and up to date, the
book is one of the best on the international relations bookshelf on
transitional justice."
Julie Mertus, School of International Service, American
University
King's College, London.
Eirin Mobekk is is an independent consultant and research
associate affiliated to the Centre for International Security and
Cooperation, Department of Peace Studies, University of
Bradford.
