Themes

We focus on three cross-cutting thematic approaches to fighting impunity and upholding justice.

Victim participation

We engage with victims and affected communities in their efforts to advocate for their rights and participate meaningfully in justice processes.

Politically-informed transitional justice

We ensure processes dealing with legacies of systemic human rights abuses are locally driven, address unequal power relations and contribute to lasting peace.

Gender

We promote the influence of women to seek justice and challenge established gender norms that perpetuate violence and impunity.

“We are seeking justice so that the human rights violations we experienced are not repeated.”
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Alicia Catlan, survivor of the armed conflict in Guatemala
EMERGING THEME

Artificial intelligence and TJ

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies could potentially play a hugely positive role in transitional justice settings, but they also equally pose significant harms and risks.

Impunity Watch is supporting further research and multidisciplinary collaboration to fully understand how AI can be used responsibly in different transitional justice mechanisms, through a victim-centred approach.

Learn more

We also draw on the following themes in our work:

Memorialisation

Memorialisation after violence can support dealing with the past to acknowledge events and victims. We have worked to strengthen policymaking on memorialisation through enhancing understanding of the needs, expectations and experiences of communities affected by violence. Read more in our policy brief Guiding principles of memorialisation.

Inter-generational exchange

The participation of young people is crucial for the success of transitional justice processes and ensuring a sustainable future. We have worked to examine barriers to their inclusion.

Rule of law and accountability

Accountability measures and stable and independent rule of law institutions are necessary to build trust, deal with the legacies of past abuse and restore dignity to victims and survivors.