OTJR has previously conducted the following research and policy projects:
International Conference
On 26-28 June 2009, OTJR hosted the international conference, “Taking Stock of Transitional Justice.” 170 delegates from 36 countries took part in the event, which was held in the Social Sciences Building at the University of Oxford. Featuring 75 presentations by established experts and new thinkers who challenge accepted positions, the conference provided the basis for re-orienting the study and practice of transitional justice. An edited collection of papers delivered at the conference will be published at the end of 2011 by Intersentia Publishers.
ICC Observers Project
In 2009, OTJR launched an online project entitled, "ICC Observers," which provides updates and commentary on unfolding events at the International Criminal Court and other international justice institutions. The project, run by Julie Veroff and Zak Manfredi, is hosted here.
Advice on Implementation of Ugandan Peace Accords
OTJR co-facilitated (with Transitional Futures Africa), and provided expert technical advice to, a workshop in Kampala, Uganda, on 19-20 March 2008, which assembled international experts and representatives from the Government of Uganda, the Lord's Resistance Army and Ugandan civil society to discuss concrete implementation strategies for the components of the Ugandan peace process. In particular, the meeting focused on the best practical measures of accountability, reconciliation, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration to ensure that the major progress made during the Juba peace negotiations translates to durable peace, stability and reconciliation in northern Uganda. OTJR continues to liaise with the goverment of Uganda, the LRA and the other parties from the workshop on the most effective approaches to these issues now that the Juba peace talks have stalled.
Popular Perceptions on Reparations in Northern Uganda
Following on from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' (OHCHR) ground-breaking 2007 qualitative report, "Making Peace Our Own: Victims' Perceptions of Accountability, Reconciliation and Transitional Justice in Northern Uganda," OTJR (on behalf of OHCHR) re-analysed the field material from the report on the specific theme of popular perceptions of reparations. The analysis will contribute to an OHCHR public report on reparations in northern Uganda, designed to inform current debates about accountability and reconciliation in the context of the Ugandan peace talks and to ensure that victims' views are fully incorporated into these national discussions.
The following people were responsible for this analysis: Daniel Armanios, Lydiah Bosire, Stephanie Brockerhoff, Gustavo de Carvalho, Phil Clark, Danielle Connolly, Teddy Harrison, Paul Honey, Briony Jones, Paul Kadetz, Emma Leonard, Chris Mahony, Nicola Palmer, Chelsea Payne, Hannah Tonkin, Julie Veroff and Clara Weinhardt.
Uganda Symposium on the International Criminal Court in Africa
On 2 May 2008, OTJR hosted a symposium at Makerere University, Kampala, on "Peace, Justice and the International Criminal Court in Africa," in conjunction with the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) at Makerere University, the Royal African Society, and the Foundation for Law, Justice and Society (FLJS) at the University of Oxford. 150 Makerere staff, students, journalists and government, UN and NGO representatives attended the symposium which explored in depth the impact of the ICC's operations on peace and justice in African conflict countries. An OTJR report from this symposium is forthcoming. OTJR is grateful to FLJS for funding its participation in this event.
Transitional Justice Options for the Burmese Government-in-Exile
In conjunction with Oxford Pro Bono Publico, OTJR has produced a report section on behalf of the Burmese government-in-exile on potential transitional justice options in Burma. The section is designed to inform key Burmese actors on issues concerning responses to atrocity and repressive rule in Burma, exploring the specific Burmese political context and drawing on lessons from other transitional societies, including South Africa, Uganda, Argentina, Chile, Indonesia and the former Yugoslavia.
The team responsible for the OTJR analysis was overseen by Nicola Palmer and comprised the following people: Lydiah Bosire, Gustavo de Carvalho, Par Engstrom, Rosara Joseph, Yvonne Malan and Chelsea Payne.
For more information on the project and for links to th Executive Summary and the Full Report, go to: http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/opbp/projects.shtml.
Vetting Mechanisms for the Army in the Democratic Republic of Congo
On behalf of Human Rights Watch, OTJR conducted research into appropriate mechanisms for vetting members of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) army for possible involvement in serious human rights abuses. The research explored vetting mechanisms used around the world and analysed their relevance for the specific Congolese context.
The following team, overseen by Naseem Badiey, is responsible for this analysis: Stephanie Brockerhoff, Gustavo de Carvalho, Quincy Diep, Rid Dasgupta, Teddy Harrison, Rosara Joseph, Josiah Kaplan, Yvonne Malan, Chelsea Payne and Maria Varaki
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