The State of Transitional Justice in Afghanistan

As conflicts end, nations and international actors confront the challenge of “transitional justice” to address the legacy of large-scale wartime abuses, to ensure accountability, serve justice, reconcile former enemies and achieve lasting peace. Developments in international law reflect a growing international consensus that genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity should not go unpunished. Diplomats and negotiators involved in ending violent disputes acknowledge more frequently that ignoring war crimes can perpetuate a culture of impunity that can encourage future abuses.