Vol. LIX, Issue 2 (2006): Justice after civil wars. Truth Commissions’ and War Crimes Tribunals’ contribution to post-conflict reconciliation
In post-conflict situations, criminal trials and truth commissions can variously contribute to promoting reconciliation by producing a historical record, promoting healing, and ending impunity. Both however are limited in what they can achieve. A combination of trials and truth commissions might be best able to support reconciliation, but faces important practical challenges. Ultimately though, truth and justice are not sufficient conditions for achieving reconciliation.