Definition
Transitional justice is the range of judicial and non-judicial measures a society adopts to deal with the aftermath of mass atrocity — genocide, dictatorship, civil war, or systematic repression — as it moves toward a more peaceful and democratic order.
Its tools include criminal prosecutions, truth commissions, reparations to victims, vetting of officials, and memorials. The aim is to acknowledge past wrongs and rebuild trust without reigniting conflict.
Why it matters
How it works
Transitional justice works on the premise that a peaceful future cannot be built on silence about a violent past. Acknowledging what happened, naming victims and perpetrators, and offering some form of redress are treated as foundations for renewed legitimacy.
Different societies weigh the elements differently. Some prioritize prosecution and punishment; others, lacking the power or stability to prosecute widely, emphasize truth-telling, amnesty in exchange for confession, and reparations. The recurring tension is between justice for victims and the political fragility of a transition.