State bureaucracies are fundamental to how the rights of victims of systematic and massive human rights violations are actualised during and after transitions. Research suggests that conflict-era actors shape policy formulation as well as its on-the-ground implementation. As more post-conflict countries adopt a variety of measures to deal with the past, such as truth commissions, vetting, ad hoc tribunals, and large-scale administrative reparations programmes, in addition to maintaining legal avenues for obtaining reparations and redress, it is essential that we develop our understanding of how these bureaucracies function and their impact on victims’ rights’ enjoyment.

In this one day workshop, participants will critically reflect on the experience of victims interacting with these bureaucracies and the administrators who manage them and the challenges of implementation faced by these instruments of transitional justice.

Lunch will also be provided for participants.