The Dynamics of Transitional Justice: International Models and Local Realities in East Timor

Transitional Justice and Local Realities draws on the case of East Timor in order to reassess how internationally-sponsored transitional justice mechanisms actually play out at the local level. Transitional justice mechanisms “ including trials and truth commissions “ have become firmly entrenched as part of the United Nations (UN) tool-kit " for successful post-conflict recovery. It is now commonly assumed that by establishing individual accountability for human rights violations, and initiating truth-seeking and reconciliation programs, individuals and societies will be assisted to come to terms " with the violent past and states will make the transition " to peaceful, stable liberal democracies. Set against the backdrop of East Timor "s referendum and the widespread violence of 1999, this book interrogates the gap " between the official goals of the internationally-sponsored transitional justice process and local expectations. Drawing on a wide range of archival data, participant observation and extensive in-depth interviews with victims/survivors community leaders and other actors, it produces a nuanced and critical account of the complex interplay between internationally-sponsored trials and truth commissions, national nation-building and justice agendas and local priorities. Transitional Justice and Local Realities fills a significant gap in the existing social science literature on transitional justice, and offers new insights for researchers and practitioners alike.