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From International Courts to Grassroots Organizing: Obstacles to Transitional Justice in the Balkans

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Transitional Justice and Civil Society in the Balkans

Part of the book series: Springer Series in Transitional Justice ((SSTJ))

Abstract

Most research on transitional justice in the Balkans focuses on international mechanisms, particularly the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Little attention has been given to domestic responses because, until recently, there has been relatively little domestic participation and organizing around the topic of transitional justice. Our study seeks to fill this gap by examining the establishment of the Regional Truth Commission for the Former Yugoslavia (RECOM), which began officially in 2006. Using insights from social movement theory and literature on transnational advocacy networks, we identify the conditions necessary for a regional justice movement to succeed. Drawing upon interviews, survey research, as well as secondary material, we provide an interpretive analysis of RECOM, identifying the obstacles to its development, as well as the impact and role of international actors. We contend that although justice and peace are moving forward in the Balkans, ongoing dilemmas underscore important lessons about transitional justice; specifically, grassroots efforts to promote transitional justice must overcome significant challenges in defining issues, creating coalitions, and engaging the state. While international actors have thus far focused primarily on the ICTY, they can and should support grassroots efforts.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See the ICTY’s website for more information on indictments and arrests: http://www.icty.org/action/cases/4. Accessed December 12 2011.

  2. 2.

    For a full list of the RECOM members and information on RECOM’s history, goals and strategies, see http://www.zarekom.org. Accessed 21 October 2011.

  3. 3.

    International Forum on Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslav Countries, 27 June 2011, Sarajevo, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  4. 4.

    On this point and the role of the international community in statebuilding, see Patrice C. McMahon and Jon Western, “Introduction: the supply side of statebuilding,” in McMahon and Western, eds, The International Community and Statebuilding (London: Routledge Press 2012), 1–24.

  5. 5.

    There was strong sentiment at the most recent regional forum that journalists should be held accountable for their reporting before and during the war. International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June 2011, Sarajevo, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  6. 6.

    Speech given at the International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  7. 7.

    International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June, 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  8. 8.

    Ivan Pšenica, Savez udruga obitelj zatočenih i nestalih harvatskih branitelja, Hrvatska, speech given at International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June, 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes. A representative of the Government Commission on Missing Person’s in Kosovo argued that Serbia must be held responsible for its role in the wars and its obligation to pay reparations. (Prenk Gjetaj speech given at International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June, 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes).

  9. 9.

    Several panelists from the panel, “Tranziciona pravda iz ugla epistemološke zajednice,” reflected this view. International Forum for Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslavia Countries, 27 June, 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  10. 10.

    One member described Kandić as brave but criticized her tendency to “see herself as a monument.” (RECOM Coalition member, interview with Jill Irvine, 16 June, 2011).

  11. 11.

    For a discussion of how transitional justice mechanisms in Bosnia-HHerzegovina have failed women see Amnesty International, ‘Whose justice?’: The Women of Bosnia and Herzegovina are Still Waiting (London: Amnesty International, 2009); http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/EUR63/006/2009/en/8af5ed43-5094-48c9-bfab-1277b5132faf/eur630062009eng.pdf. Accessed 14 November 2011.

  12. 12.

    MPs from the more liberal SPD ostensibly pledged their support earlier this year but were instructed by the party leadership to refrain from making such statements.

  13. 13.

    International Forum on Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslav Countries, 27 June 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  14. 14.

    Several panelists on the panel, “Tranziciona pravda iz ugla medjunarodnih organizacija tranzicione pravde,” expressed this view (International Forum on Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslav Countries, 27 June 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes).

  15. 15.

    Vojkan Simić, Ministry of Justice Serbia, Speech given at International Forum on Transitional Justice in Post-Yugoslav Countries, 27 June 2011, Jill Irvine’s notes.

  16. 16.

    Robert M. Hayden, “Justice Presumed and Assistance Denied: The Yugoslav Tribunal as Obstruction to Economic Recovery,” unpublished paper, used by permission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Women’s and Gender Studies Program, University of Oklahoma, 101 Robertson Hall, Norman, OK, 73019, USA

    Jill A. Irvine

  2. Department of Political Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 511 Oldfather Hall, Lincoln, NE, 68588, USA

    Patrice C. McMahon

Authors
  1. Jill A. Irvine
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  2. Patrice C. McMahon
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Correspondence to Jill A. Irvine .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Griffith University, Griffith Law School, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland, Australia

    Olivera Simić

  2. , School of Journalism and Communication, University of Queensland, --, Brisbane, 4072, Australia

    Zala Volčič

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Irvine, J.A., McMahon, P.C. (2013). From International Courts to Grassroots Organizing: Obstacles to Transitional Justice in the Balkans. In: Simić, O., Volčič, Z. (eds) Transitional Justice and Civil Society in the Balkans. Springer Series in Transitional Justice. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5422-9_13

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