Strengthening International Policy Initiatives in Transitional Justice
Founded in 2001, the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) works to redress and prevent the most severe violations of human rights by confronting legacies of mass abuse. This work entails informing international policymakers of best practices in transitional justice, strengthening the recognition of transitional justice as a crucial feature of postconflict peacemaking and peace building, and contributing to the development of international norms for accountability and justice. On the occasion of its tenth anniversary, ICTJ charged the Capstone team with investigating the role ICTJ played in the development of two seminal transitional justice framework documents that guide practices within the United Nations: the 2004 SecretaryGeneral's report on rule of law and transitional justice in conflict and postconflict societies; and the 2005 revised UN Mediator Guidelines. The Capstone team reviewed relevant documents and conducted interviews with UN officials and former and current ICTJ staff and consultants. By documenting successes and key challenges throughout the organization's work, the Capstone team enhanced ICTJ's understanding of its role in creating these frameworks. The Capstone team provided ICTJ with a set of recommendations that will help the organization create more impactful strategies for future policy advocacy.