This course examines the various ways in which human rights violations committed during periods of violent conflict are addressed in post-conflict justice processes. The course examines the practices, processes and rationales by which post-conflict states bring the perpetrators of human rights abuses to account for their actions. Focusing specifically on post-conflict justice processes and practices in the Asia-Pacific, it situates the region within global trends in the pursuit of accountability for human rights violations before turning to a series of case studies.

Through the use of in-depth case studies drawn from the region, students will examine the use of human rights trials, truth commissions, apologies, reconciliation, amnesties and traditional justice processes and assess the efficacy of these mechanisms, both individually and as part of integrated post-conflict processes. Case studies examined in the course may include Cambodia, the Solomon Islands, Japan, East Timor, Indonesia/Aceh, South Korea and Papua New Guinea/Bougainville.

By the end of this course, you should be able to

1. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the key goals and challenges faced by states in the aftermath of human rights violations;
2. demonstrate specialised knowledge of post-conflict justice processes and practices in the Asia-Pacific region;
3. demonstrate their analytical skills by undertaking assessments of the efficacy of post-conflict justice processes;
4. demonstrate their ability to evaluate empirical evidence; and,
5. demonstrate their capacity to employ effective writing and communication skills.

1000 word seminar paper (20%) (learning outcome 4 and 5)

3000 word case study report (50%) (learning outcome 1,2,3,4,5)

2000 word examination (30%) (learning outcome 1,2,4 and 5)

8 hours per week including one 2-hour seminar and 6 hours for reading and writing.

None

An understanding of the key concepts of International Relations.

The core text for this course will be Tricia D. Olsen, Leigh A. Payne and Andrew G. Reiter, Transitional Justice in Balance: Comparing Processes, Weighing Efficacy (Washington D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2010).

The course will also rely on key journal articles on post-conflict justice and the cases to be considered in the course.

Access to a computer and the internet