Search

Begin New Search Content Type Working Paper

1311. Who Debates, Who Wins? At-Scale Experimental Evidence on Debate Participation in a Liberian Election

Author:
Jeremy Bowles and Horacio Larreguy
Publication Date:
12-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
Abstract:
We examine how candidate selection into the supply of policy information determines its electoral effects. In a nationwide debate initiative designed to solicit and rebroadcast policy promises from Liberian legislative candidates, we randomized the encouragement of debate participation across districts. The intervention substantially increased the debate participation of leading candidates but led to uneven electoral returns for these candidates, with incumbents benefiting at the expense of challengers. These results are driven by differences in compliance: complying incumbents, but not challengers, positively selected into debate participation based on the congruence of their policy priorities with those of their constituents.
Topic:
Politics, Elections, Accountability, and Information Technology
Political Geography:
Africa and Liberia

1312. An Uncertain Homecoming: Views of Syrian Refugees in Jordan on Return, Justice, and Coexistence

Author:
Cilina Nasser and Zeina Jallad Charpentier
Publication Date:
05-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
This report presents findings from a study based on interviews with 121 Syrian refugees living in Jordan. It aims to provide a better understanding of the impact the conflict in Syria has had on refugees, including the harms and losses they have suffered; their expectations, concerns, and priorities for potential durable solutions to their displacement; and the conditions they think would facilitate return to their country and communities and help them to overcome divisions, rebuild relationships, and promote justice.
Topic:
Refugees, Refugee Crisis, Displacement, Transitional Justice, and Humanitarian Crisis
Political Geography:
Middle East, Syria, and Jordan

1313. On Solid Ground: Building Sustainable Peace and Development After Massive Human Rights Violations

Author:
The International Center for Transitional Justice
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
This report of the Working Group on Transitional Justice and SDG16+ articulates the contributions of transitional justice to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 on peace, justice, and inclusion, but also related goals on gender and inequality. The report contends that in contexts of serious and massive human rights violations, transitional justice provides a framework for addressing the needs of victims, helping to reduce the “justice gap,” and building sustainable peace and development.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Human Rights, Inequality, Sustainable Development Goals, Transitional Justice, and Victims
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1314. Guiding and Protecting Prosecutors: Comparative Overview of Policies Guiding Decisions to Prosecute

Author:
Howard Varney, Shenali De Silva, and Alexandra Raleigh
Publication Date:
10-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
Prosecution guidelines provide benchmarks for decision making and act as a shield for prosecutors in the face of undue influence, pressure, or interference. Prosecutors pursuing sensitive cases, such as those involving mass atrocities, ought to do so by applying binding, objective, fair and publicly known criteria. This report presents a comparative overview of prosecution guidelines from around the world in "ordinary" times and in the context of post-conflict transitions.
Topic:
Law, Transitional Justice, Criminal Justice, and Justice
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1315. Our Future, Our Justice: Young People Taking Action

Author:
The International Center for Transitional Justice
Publication Date:
12-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
This guide is designed to engage young people who are interested in or are working on transitional justice issues in their communities. Intended to serve primarily as a training tool, it provides basic information about transitional justice and related principles and offers tips and strategies for trainers who are interested in working with Syrian youth to pursue truth, accountability, acknowledgment, reform, redress, and justice.
Topic:
Reform, Transitional Justice, Youth, Accountability, and Participation
Political Geography:
Middle East and Syria

1316. Women’s Experiences of Dictatorship in the Gambia

Author:
The International Center for Transitional Justice
Publication Date:
12-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
Since the Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission (TRRC) began public hearings in January 2019, an important part of the country’s narrative has not yet come to light or been publicly acknowledged: the experiences of women. This report brings forward the voices of women victims and sheds light on the violations they have suffered under Jammeh’s dictatorship and their enduring impact on their lives and those of their families.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Women, Transitional Justice, Reconciliation, and Truth
Political Geography:
Africa and Gambia

1317. Situating Security Sector Reforms in Kenya’s Discourse on Inclusion and National Dialogue Process

Author:
Christopher Gitari
Publication Date:
04-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
This paper explores political exclusion in Kenya and its consequences on the social fabric of the nation. It draws from past governmental reports and analysis to formulate new recommendations that can inform current discourse. It first provides an overview of ethnicity in Kenya. It then describes experiences of exclusion by minority groups, as well as state responses to exclusion. Finally, it looks at efforts to reform the security sector. It closes by offering some general guiding principles and recommendations.
Topic:
Security, Transitional Justice, Participation, and Exclusion
Political Geography:
Kenya and Africa

1318. 'You Can Change the Course of a Country:' Report on the International Gender Symposium

Author:
Sibley Hawkins
Publication Date:
08-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
In February 2019, ICTJ hosted an international symposium on gender and transitional justice in Tunisia that brought together representatives from eight countries where ICTJ has been actively engaged in implementing a gender-focused approach to its programming. This briefing paper presents the lessons learned and key strategies that came out of this conference, as well as recommendations to international organizations, donors, and the media.
Topic:
Gender Issues, Women, Media, and Transitional Justice
Political Geography:
Africa, Middle East, Asia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Syria, and Tunisia

1319. Can Building Bridges Break the Cycles of Corruption and Political Violence in Kenya?

Author:
Agatha Ndonga and Ruben Carranza
Publication Date:
11-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
In its report, the Kenya Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission concluded that “corruption is endemic in Kenya” and that “there is a direct link between corruption and gross violation of human rights.” This paper considers the extent of impunity for corruption in Kenya, how corruption fuels and facilitates political violence and land injustices, and how Kenya can learn from other countries’ experiences to go beyond building bridges among the elite and meaningfully protect the rights of its citizens.
Topic:
Political Violence, Corruption, Transitional Justice, Reconciliation, and Truth
Political Geography:
Kenya and Africa

1320. Reforming Kenya’s Security Sector: Policing Culture and Youth

Author:
Agatha Ndonga
Publication Date:
11-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
The International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)
Abstract:
Between April 15 and May 3, 2019, ICTJ held a number of consultations with Kenyan youth from several informal settlements in Nairobi and Mombasa to reflect on their understanding of security sector reforms and their connection to the ongoing national dialogue process, particularly as it relates to inclusion. This briefing paper presents the key issues of concern raised by these young people and based on them offers recommendations for reforming the policing culture in Kenya.
Topic:
Security, National Security, Youth Culture, Culture, Reform, and Youth
Political Geography:
Kenya and Africa