9. Displacement, transitional justice and reconciliation: assumptions, challenges and lessons

Written by Dr Megan Bradley (Fellow in the Foreign Policy Programme at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC), this Policy Briefing explores the links between reconciliation, forced migration and transitional justice, bringing into focus the ways in which displaced persons figure in transitional justice processes, and the potential implications of this involvement for reconciliation. 

The briefing addresses the interlinked conceptual and practical challenges associated with trying to advance reconciliation in post-conflict societies affected by large-scale displacement, and highlights some of the ways in which policymakers and practitioners have sought to support reconciliation between displaced populations and other actors. It analyses some of the assumptions that have characterised these efforts, and suggests ways in which the challenges surrounding the interface of displacement, transitional justice and reconciliation may be more effectively navigated.

This policy briefing builds on discussions at the Conference on Displacement and Reconciliation convened at Saint Paul University in Ottawa from 9-10 June 2011.

Feedback and comments can be directed to the author of the briefing, Dr Megan Bradley at mbradley@brookings.edu. To request hard copies of the current or previous briefings or for any other queries contact the series editor, Ian McClelland at ian.mcclelland@qeh.ox.ac.uk

Download here: rscpb9-displacement-transitional-justice-reconciliation-250412-en.pdf