Maximising popular participation in transitional justice in Africa : a guidance paper for multilateral actors

Abstract

Multilateral actors are increasingly interested in supporting transitional justice processes that maximise popular participation, especially by victims/survivors of violence and communities most affected by human rights abuses. Looking at the African context, this guidance paper outlines practical strategies for multilateral actors to mainstream participation in transitional justice processes, including formal, state-led measures and non-formal, civil society-led measures. The guidance is designed to ensure these processes are planned, funded and implemented in ways that can enable the agency of people impacted by past violations. After discussing the challenges and opportunities of participation, the paper outlines a set of specific strategies for enabling participation in formal and non-formal transitional justice measures. They are presented alongside recommendations of concrete actions that multilateral actors can take to enhance popular participation in a transitional justice process, notably including support to civil society actors who are crucial mediators of popular participation in transitional justice. A key message is that multilateral actors should seek to identify and support existing processes and practices - including community-based measures, traditional and religious practices, and others - that have buy-in and trust among the local population and provide networks and resources on which to build for a more contextualised, participatory and therefore sustainable transitional justice.