15 September - 20 October 2020
Application start 23 July 2020
Application end 1 September 2020
Fee: 1250 Swiss Francs
ICRC
Transitional justice emerged as a multidisciplinary field of academic inquiry and practical policy-making in the late 1980s in response to political transitions in Argentina and other Latin American countries who were struggling to deal with the aftermath of violent conflict or oppressive rule. Closely related to the theory and practice of international human rights law (IHRL), transitional justice examines how societies that emerge from periods of civil war or oppressive government – like Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Syria or Afghanistan – can deal with the legacy of human rights abuses via practical measures and mechanisms such as criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations and institutional reform, including post-conflict rule of law building.
This online short course aims at unpacking the nature and scope of international human rights law (IHRL) in transitional contexts.
The course starts by laying the foundations of IHRL and maps the human rights law framework of transitional justice, including how human rights institutions and mechanisms at both the United Nations (UN) and regional levels deal with the right to justice, the right to know the truth and the right to reparations. The course will also discuss the prevention dimension of these institutions and mechanisms.
In doing so, the course will address the application of both civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights in transitional justice processes in order to understand the limits and possibilities that IHRL offers in times of war and repression; to deal with the legacy of mass atrocities; and to help states move towards peace and/or democracy, reconciliation, human rights protection and the establishment of the rule of law.
All sessions are conducted with a global comparative focus and are based on a practice-oriented perspective that tackles experiences and challenges in contemporary contexts.
This short course is offered exclusively online.
At the end of the course, participants will be familiar with:
Clara Sandoval is Professor at the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, and Co-Director of the Essex Transitional Justice Network.
She is recognized internationally as a leading expert in transitional justice and in the Inter-American System of Human Rights.
This short course forms part of our MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (MTJ). It is open to professionals – diplomats, lawyers, legal advisers, judges, NGO staff, human rights advocates, media specialists, professionals working in transitions, UN staff and staff from other international organizations – who are not enrolled in the MTJ and who want to deepen their expertise in this specific issue.
This short course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform. It will be delivered through interactive seminars where participants will be expected to read the essential reading for the class and to address the guiding questions that are found at the end of the description of each of the sessions.
At times, participants will be divided into groups so as to adopt roles and discuss different legal views about particular transitional justice and human rights law issues such as whether States have an international obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of gross human rights violations.
Courses take place on:
The fee for this short course is 1,250 Swiss Francs. In case of cancellation by the participants, CHF 200 won't be returned.
Participants obtain a certificate at the end of the course (no ECTS credits are gained).
Applications for this short course must be submitted via the online form. If you encounter problems with your application, do not hesitate to contact us.
Once admitted to the course, participants receive instructions on how to pay. Proof of payment is required before you begin the course.
Clara Sandoval is a leading expert in transitional justice, the Inter-American System of Human Rights, legal theory, business and human rights, reparations, guarantees of non-repetition and implementation of human rights orders and recommendations.
This course will be conducted online using the ZOOM platform.
Geneva Academy
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Olivier Chamard / Geneva Academy
From the peace agreement in Colombia to the situation in the Central African Republic or the role of armed non-state actors in transitional justice processes, seven Transitional Justice Cafés allowed students of the Master in Transitional Justice to discuss topical issues with leading expert in the field.
ICRC
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ICRC
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UN Photo / Pierre Albouy
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