Transitional Justice in the Middle East

Whereas much of the focus of transitional justice scholarship has been on Latin America and on Africa, the greater Middle East remains one of the most understudied regions for the field. The region has very few signatories to the Rome Statute and, following the indictment of Sudan's President Bashir, hostility to the International Criminal Court has been high in the region.

However, the examples of successor trials in Iraq and the Special Tribunal for the Lebanon have been highly important and merit further study. Issues as diverse as rights violations during the Iranian elections of 2009 and a possible amnesty process in bringing an end to the conflict in Afghanistan also arise.

The OTJR Working Paper series provides a platform to further discussion of transitional justice issues, very broadly understood, as they relate to the wider Middle East.

Series Papers

1. Amnesty for the Taliban - taking human rights seriously in Afghanistan 

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 by Ross Beaton

Human rights activists have criticised the idea of an amnesty for Taliban fighters as part of Afghan reconciliation. But in the reality of war, amnesty may actually be the best option if we take human rights seriously enough.

2. This House believes Middle Eastern States benefit from membership in the International Criminal Court 

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 by Sam Sasan Shoamanesh

The history of the Middle East is marked by violent conflict and serious human rights violations. By joining the ICC, Middle Eastern states could both protect their citizens and steer the future evolution of the Court.