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Resource Library

The Resource Library stores all of ICTJ’s published works since 2001 to the present, grouped by category and searchable by key word, country, issue, language, and more.

We are continually adding new content from our archives, especially our Multimedia content. Check back regularly to explore newly added videos, photo galleries, and audio products.

ICTJ Mourns the Passing of Theo van Boven, Pioneer of Victims’ Rights

ICTJ deeply mourns jurist and professor Theo van Boven, an eminence and true innovator in the field of international law, as well as a fearless defender of victims globally, who sadly passed away on May 9th. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

05/14/26

Black and White image of Theo van Boven speaks during an interview produced by Maastricht University in April 2013

ICTJ Report Calls for Comprehensive Transitional Justice Framework for Ukraine

A new ICTJ report urges the revitalization of Ukraine’s holistic transitional justice policymaking. Debunking the most common myths about transitional justice in Ukraine, the report presents the key legal, policy, and victim-centered arguments in favor of advancing a comprehensive transitional justice framework.

05/13/26

A seated person, back partially facing camera, holds a report.

Myths and Ways Forward: Transitional Justice for Ukraine

Despite earlier efforts to envision a national transitional justice policy, Ukraine remains overly cautious about establishing one. This report provides a robust substantiation of why Ukraine should revive its holistic transitional justice policymaking. In the first part, it debunks t...

05/13/26

by

Kateryna Busol

A women holds up an infant in the air on sunny day outdoors, surrounded by yellow and blue balloons

Can a Recent UN Resolution on Slavery Help Entrench a Culture of Accountability in Africa?

On March 25, 2026, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution is an integral part, if not the culmination, of a wider push by African states for reparations for historical injustices, including the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, apartheid, and genocide.

05/04/26

by

Tafadzwa Christmas

A sculpture featuring five human figures connected by chains and standing in a square hole in the ground

From Combat to Territorial Control: Recommendations for a Security Policy Adapted to Contemporary Violence in Colombia

Colombia currently faces a transformed, fragmented form of violence centered on territorial and social control rather than the traditional insurgency. This briefing paper argues that state security strategies remain misaligned, relying on outdated military approaches and metrics. To a...

04/20/26

Image of first page of the briefing paper "From Combat to Territorial Control"

From Combat to Territorial Control: Adapting Security Policy to Contemporary Violence in Colombia

Colombia currently faces a transformed, fragmented form of violence centered on territorial and social control rather than the traditional insurgency. This report argues that state security strategies remain misaligned, relying on outdated military approaches and metrics. To avoid lon...

04/20/26

by

Naryi Vargas Cáceres

An aerial view of a group of soldiers interacting with a large civilian crowd in a rural setting

Why Victims Must Lead the Way to Peace in Sudan

As the world marks the third anniversary of the brutal war in Sudan, it is a moment to reflect on a conflict that rarely receives the media attention it deserves and to consider the millions of Sudanese caught in cycles of violence.

04/15/26

by

Ilaria Martorelli

Men and women carry large boxes and sacks on their heads

Urgent Appeal to End Ongoing Israeli Attacks in Lebanon

Recent Israeli strikes in Beirut and other populated areas in Lebanon, among the conflict's most intense so far, have destroyed critical infrastructure and devastated civilian communities. ICTJ stands unequivocally with the Lebanese people and all victims across the region and calls for an immediate end to all attacks on and threats to civilian communities and infrastructure.

04/09/26

A thick cloud of smoke rises over a city skyline in daylight.

What an ICC Trial of the Philippines Former Strongman Can and Cannot Do

On February 27, 2026, the International Criminal Court concluded its confirmation of charges hearing in the case against former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, who stands accused of committing crimes against humanity. ICTJ Senior Expert Ruben Carranza, who is Filipino-American, reflects on this case in connection with his recent lecture on transitional justice and Duterte's war on drugs at Georgetown University.

04/01/26

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A man is seated in front of a television screen on which another man appears.

The Amnesty Law in Venezuela: A Step Toward Democracy?

On February 19, 2026, Venezuela’s National Assembly passed the Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, which seeks to extinguish criminal liability for certain acts committed in the country over the past 26 years. While the law has sparked debate, it undeniably represents a significant development in the country's political landscape.

03/23/26

A person waves the Venezuelan flag on city street at night

Human Rights Defenders from Sudan and the Wider Region Harness the Power of Digital, Open-Source Investigative Tools

ICTJ recently convened human rights defenders, journalists, and lawyers from Libya, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen for a workshop on digital, open-source investigations. Held on November 3-8 in Kampala, Uganda, the course trained participants on open-source tools with a view to strengthening their work investigating, documenting, and monitoring human rights violations.

03/17/26

three people seat together look at a computer screen

ICTJ Celebrates 25 Years of Advancing Justice at the Annual January for Justice Leaders Event

On January 28, 2026, ICTJ held its annual January for Justice Leaders benefit dinner in New York City, an event celebrating leaders advancing justice around the world. This edition also marked the beginning of ICTJ’s 25th anniversary year and served as an opportunity to look back on a quarter century spent standing alongside victims, civil society, and institutions in the pursuit of truth, accountability, and lasting peace after mass atrocities.

02/19/26

Three women sit on chairs facing a room holding microphones

The Enduring Fight for Justice for Victims in War: An Interview with ICTJ's Fernando Travesí-Sanz

The outlet PassBlue recently interviewed ICTJ Executive Director Fernando Travesí-Sanz about the challenges and breakthroughs ICTJ has encountered while facilitating a victims-led path to transitional justice in post-Assad Syria. Travesí-Sanz compared the experience to the lessons learned from Colombia’s post-conflict transition, revealing the nuanced, fragile nature of both retroactive justice and long-term peacebuilding.

02/06/26

by Arthur Bassas, PassBlue

Portrait of ICTJ Executive Director Fernando Travesí-Sanz

‘Thoughts on Our Beloved Country’: A Call for Inclusion of Displaced Persons in South Sudan’s Transitional Justice Process

This study aims to communicate the perspectives, expectations, and needs of South Sudanese displaced persons to relevant policymakers and thereby inform the ongoing transitional justice efforts emanating from South Sudan’s 2018 revitalized peace agreement. It also provides lessons lea...

01/26/26

by

Agatha Ndonga

several women in colorful dresses crouch around an open fire pit, cooking food in a large pan.

Many Truths Revealed, But More to Come

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Law—which created Colombia's first transitional justice system—media outlet Verdad Abierta, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and ICTJ partnered to produce an investigative four-part series in Spanish that critically assesses its legacy. Now translated into English, this second installment explores the unprecedented challenges the country faced as the process got underway.

01/21/26

A seated audience watch formal proceedings projected on a screen mounted on a stage

From Laboratory to Transitional Justice Benchmark

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Law—which created Colombia's first transitional justice system—media outlet Verdad Abierta, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and ICTJ partnered to produce an investigative four-part series in Spanish that critically assesses its legacy. Now translated into English, this first installment provides an overview of the process.

01/21/26

Hundreds of people gather at the bottom a green hill

Colombia's Justice and Peace Law: 20 Years and Counting

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Law—which created Colombia's first transitional justice system—media outlet Verdad Abierta, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and ICTJ partnered to produce an investigative four-part series in Spanish that critically assesses its legacy. ICTJ has now translated the first two installments into English.

01/21/26

A woman displays black-and-white mugshot photos of men laid out on a flat surface on her lap

The Expert’s Choice 2025 Year in Review

Throughout 2025, ICTJ’s experts offered thoughtful analysis on conflicts and major political developments in more than 10 countries as part of the World Report newsletter. Their insightful commentaries shed light on the obstacles that victims, civil society, and their partners must navigate as they pursue sustainable peace and justice. In this edition, we look back on the past year through the Expert’s Choice column.

01/06/26

Collage of feature images from Experts Choice pieces in 2025

History and International Law Proscribe Amnesties for Russian War Crimes

On November 20 — on the 80th anniversary of the opening of the main Nuremberg trial, which prosecuted Nazi leadership for aggression and mass atrocities of World War II — details of the allegedly proposed new “peace” plan for Ukraine emerged. The initiative has surfaced one of the Kremlin’s recurrent demands: full amnesty for wartime atrocities — the very acts Nuremberg sought to punish and prevent.

12/17/25

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A first responder faces a destroyed building in Ukraine

Africa’s Gen Z Challenges the Status Quo

The death of eight women in childbirth at a hospital in Agadir this past August sent shockwaves through Morocco. The news crystallized national anger over deteriorating public services as well as persistent high unemployment and corruption. Years of frustration erupted into the streets as thousands of mostly young Moroccans gathered in cities and towns across the nation to protest and to demand accountability and institutional reform.

12/02/25

by

Clément Eyraud

A crowd of people gather in the street in the evening; many hold up illuminated cell phones

Gender Justice and Accountability: An Analysis of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy

This report assesses the gender sensitivity of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP). Drawing on continental practice and scholarship, it identifies opportunities for AU member states, civil society, and donors to strengthen the policy’s implementation and its responsi...

11/18/25

Home in Syria: A New Chapter for Justice and Reconciliation

ICTJ and its partners in the Bridges of Truth project presented in Damascus the findings from their recent report on the first community dialogues held in Syria since the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024. On October 7, victims and family members, civil society actors, representatives from the country’s nascent transitional justice commissions, government officials, and international partners gathered to reflect on the lessons learned from the dialogues and the path forward for truth, justice, and accountability in Syria.

11/11/25

Six panelists sit in chairs on a stage facing a room full of people and the camera

The Justice and Peace Law: 20 Years of Lessons from Colombia’s Transitional Justice Process

This year, Colombia commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Justice and Peace Law, which established the country’s first formal transitional justice mechanism. On this milestone anniversary, ICTJ reflects on the evolution that led to the groundbreaking law, the lessons that have been learned so far, and the challenges that lie ahead.

11/05/25

A woman holds a candle at a pro-peace demonstration in Colombia

The Conviction of Abd-Al-Rahman and What It Means for Victims Amid Ongoing Atrocities in Sudan

On October 6, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found former Janjaweed militia leader Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (also known as Ali Kushayb) guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur between August 2003 and March 2004. This landmark verdict counters cycles of impunity in Sudan and sends a powerful message that these crimes are not tolerated.

11/04/25

by

Ilaria Martorelli

The Prospect for Justice in Sudan: An Interview with ICTJ’s Ilaria Martorelli

Despite the enormous challenges, Sudanese civil society and other stakeholders are prioritizing transitional justice, acknowledging the need to address past injustices to end the cycle of conflict in their country. ICTJ continues to support them as they envision and design victim-centered, gender-sensitive, and inclusive strategies. Leading these efforts is ICTJ's Ilaria Martorelli. In this interview, she discusses the prospects for lasting peace, accountability, and repair in Sudan.

10/22/25

by Karsten Rynearson

A woman builds a makeshift shelter made from tree branches and clothing.

ICTJ and Bridges of Truth Commemorate Eights Years of Partnership in Damascus

ICTJ and its partners in the Bridges of Truth project hosted an event in Damascus on October 7 to present findings from their recent report on the community dialogues held in April in Syria and to commemorate the project’s eighth anniversary.

10/06/25

A women seated a table where other are also sitting is speaking; she is reaching out with one arm and holding papers in the other hand.

A Fragile Framework for Lasting Peace Between Armenia and Azerbaijan?

On August 8, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed the Joint Declaration on Future Relations. Hailed by some as a “historic peace deal,” it neither is a treaty nor ends the 37-year Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Rather, it is a political framework that requires international support and attention.

10/01/25

by

Maria Abrahamyan

Armenian Prime Minister, Azerbaijani President, and U.S. President, seated at a table and wearing suits, each hold up a signed document in their hands

A Milestone for Transitional Justice in Colombia: ICTJ Welcomes the First Sentences of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace

The issuance of the first sentences by Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace marks a turning point for transitional justice in the country. These historic convictions against those most responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the armed conflict constitute the realization of justice and express both judicial and moral condemnation.

09/19/25

The last Secretariat of the extinct Farc-EP participate in the first acknowledgment hearing for Case 01.

ICTJ Welcomes Three New Members to Its Board of Directors

ICTJ is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Ms. Nina Lahoud, Ms. Rajakumari Jandhyala, and Mr. Max Gleischman. “These three individuals bring a wealth of expertise in law, economics, diplomacy, and strategic communication to ICTJ. Their diverse perspectives and proven leadership will help steer ICTJ as it continues to support victims, strengthen institutions, and foster inclusive societies in the aftermath of conflict and repression,” said Chairperson Robert Cusumano.

09/11/25

three headshots of ICTJ board members each set in a circular frame

In a New Documentary, an Intimate Portrayal of Colombians Affected by Conflict Sheds Light on the 2016 Peace Agreement

ICTJ, in collaboration with the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas, the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, and the New York City Bar Association, recently hosted a screening of the Colombian documentary Después del Frío ("After the Cold"). Coproduced by ICTJ and Colombian journalist María Jimena Duzán, with the support of the Embassies of Sweden and Norway in Colombia, the film paints an intimate portrait of a nation seeking healing and transformation, where the scars of the past give way to hope.

09/09/25

Two women seated at table, one of whom speaks into a microphone

Invisible Scars: Ukraine’s Disappeared amid Russian Aggression

The numerous atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine have been part of the former's aggression since its initial invasion of the Crimea and Donbas regions in 2014, though they have skyrocketed in number and severity since the full-scale invasion in 2022. Among these crimes are enforced disappearances, which serve as the means by which the Kremlin more broadly intends to subjugate Ukrainians and eliminate any traces of the Ukrainian national identity.

09/03/25

by Kateryna Busol and Alec Knight

A close-up of two sets of hands, one putting a blue-and-yellow-colored bracelet on a wrist of the other.

As Colombia Marks 20 Years of ‘Justice and Peace,’ A New ICTJ Podcast Unearths the Seeds of War

This year, Colombia commemorates the 20th anniversary of Law 975, which established the country’s first transitional justice process, called Justicia y Paz (or Justice and Peace). With this anniversary top on mind, and as the current government engages with eight of the remaining armed groups in pursuit of its “Total Peace” strategy, ICTJ recently teamed up with podcast producers Sillón Estudios to create a four-part series that delves into the peace process with the AUC and considers key lessons learned.

08/20/25

A black background with light-yellow knock-out font that reads "el cascarón y la semilla"

An ICTJ-Led International Dialogue on Syria’s New Justice Commissions Explores Opportunities for Lasting Peace

ICTJ, in collaboration with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently convened the first international dialogue in Geneva in support of Syria’s two new justice commissions. From July 10 to 11, members of the National Commissions for Transitional Justice and for the Missing joined representatives of Syrian victim groups and experts and practitioners from around the world to discuss the present opportunities and challenges for peace and justice in Syria and how best to support the nascent institutions in fulfilling their mandates and advancing acknowledgment, truth, accountability, and repair.

08/13/25

International Dialogue Held in Geneva, 2025.

In Kenya, Violence Against Protesters Should Serve to Revive Scuttled Police Reforms

The police response to the peaceful anti-government protests in Kenya over the past year has been deadly and brutal. Their actions have rocked the country and reaffirmed the 2013 findings of the Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (KTJRC) that state security agencies, particularly the police, have historically used excessive and disproportionate force and “been the main perpetrators of bodily integrity violations of human rights in Kenya including massacres, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, and sexual violence.”

08/04/25

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A man back facing camera holds up a Kenya flag

To Syria’s New Justice Commissions: Victims Need You Now

Across Syria today, we continue to witness human rights violations and abuses that run counter to the very principles upon which the revolution was built. In particular, recent violence in the coast and Sweida has deepened the sense of fear and mistrust already felt by many communities. Meanwhile, Syria's new transitional justice commissions have been working hard to lay the foundations of their mandates. Now, at this critical juncture, they must show that they are ready to lead and first and foremost to serve victims.

07/31/25

by

A large outdoor mural of a man's face is painted over with the Syrian revolution flag. Next to it, the English "Free" is painted in green.

In Community Dialogues, Syrians Share Their Stories and Aspirations for Justice

At the end of April in Syria, dozens of local residents in several cities and towns sat down together for the first time to finally speak about their experiences during the 14-year conflict that tore society apart and resulted in countless human rights violations. These community dialogues, organized by ICTJ in partnership with the Bridges of Truth project, provided a safe space for participants to share their stories and hardships, discuss their needs, and express their hopes for justice and reconciliation.

07/18/25

Three women and a man seated in chairs arranged in a semicircle.

‘Our Pain Turned into Policy’: Advancing Peace and Justice Through Community Dialogue in Syria

This report summarizes the key observations offered by Syrians during community dialogues in April 2025. Convened by Bridges of Truth, a collaboration of Syrian civil society organizations and ICTJ, the dialogues captured a wide spectrum of perspectives and experiences and provided va...

07/16/25

Some 20 people sit in chairs around a table located inside a courtyard.

ICTJ Convenes International Dialogue in Geneva to Support Syria’s National Commissions for Transitional Justice and the Missing

On July 10 and 11, ICTJ convened a high-level dialogue in Geneva that brought members of Syria’s newly established transitional justice commissions together with international experts and representatives from Syrian civil society represented by the Bridges of Truth project and victims’ groups and multilateral institutions. The two-day event provided guidance to the commissioners as they develop and implement their mandates and supported Syrian-led efforts to build transparent and inclusive institutions.

07/09/25

A woman seated in a chair gestures as she speaks to others seated around in a circle.

AU and EU Hold Expert Seminar on Reparations and Transitional Justice in Africa

Abuja, June 19, 2025—The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Consortium implementing the Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa (ITJA), led by the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) and co-implemented by the Africa Transitional Justice...

06/19/25

The logos for the African Union and the European Union on top of a series of decorative lines and the title "Initiative for Transitional Justice in Africa"

Gambians Break the Silence on Sexual Violence in ICTJ-Held Community Dialogues

From May 25 to June 1, 2025, ICTJ held a series of community dialogues in three rural regions of the Gambia on sexual and gender-based violence, including crimes committed during the Yahya Jammeh dictatorship. The dialogues brought together 122 individuals, including community leaders, victims, and young people, to share their experiences and discuss pathways for justice.

06/17/25

A Landmark Court Decision Opens New Avenues for Accountability for Apartheid-Era Crimes in South Africa

On April 14, 2025, the Johannesburg High Court handed down a landmark judgment. From his bench in courtroom 4D, Judge Dario Dosio dismissed the defense team’s objections to the inclusion of murder and apartheid as crimes against humanity charges in the indictment against two individuals accused of a deadly 1982 attack on anti-apartheid student activists. In so doing, the court cleared the way for crimes against humanity charges to be pursued in a South African domestic court for the first time. It also opened the door to the first ever prosecution of apartheid as a crime against humanity anywhere in the world.

06/03/25

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Several people wearing T-shirts seated with backs camera in a courtroom and facing toward the judge who seated in an elevated stand and is facing the camera and audience

ICTJ Welcomes Establishment of Syria’s New National Commissions for Transitional Justice and the Missing

ICTJ welcomes the formation of two new independent institutions in Syria: the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for the Missing. Established by presidential decree, these commissions represent a historic step forward in acknowledging the demands of victims and their families and formally responding to the widespread violations committed in Syria over the last decades.

05/22/25

Demonstrators gather around a three-dimensional sculpture of the English word "Truth," waving placards.

ICTJ’s Award-Winning Film About a Family’s Journey After a Disappearance in Syria

ICTJ has announced the digital release of its award-winning short animated documentary that explores the trauma and resilience of families of the disappeared in Syria. After an extensive tour of international film festivals in Asia, Europe, and North America, the acclaimed film recently returned home for its first screening in Syria. Now, it is available to audiences the world over on the ICTJ website and YouTube channel.

05/15/25

Screenshot from the animated film featuring a group of people protesting in the street, waving placards

Amid Epic Crisis, Sudan Marks Double Anniversary of Revolution and War

This April, Sudan marked a double anniversary: one of the 2019 revolution that toppled President Omar al Bashir’s decades-long repressive regime, the other of the 2023 outbreak of the ongoing civil war that has devastated the country. These contrasting occasions bring with them great hopes and deep pain. They also raise pressing questions: How long will Sudan have to suffer while the world’s attention seems turned the other way? How long will the voices of Sudanese who yearn for peace and justice continue to be sidelined?

05/02/25

by Ilaria Martorelli, Yasir Masoud, and Emma Merritt-Cuneo

People gather in front of government buildings in Khartoum waiving Sudanese flags.

Exploring Dilemmas Between Sanctions and Transitional Justice: An Interview with ICTJ’s Elena Naughton

In recent years, states have increasingly imposed sanctions in relation to the commission of human rights violations, which has expanded their potential to advance transitional justice goals. In this context, ICTJ recently published a new report offering an analysis of international sanctions from a transitional justice perspective. In this interview, the report's author, ICTJ Senior Expert Elena Naughton, discusses how sanctions may advance or hinder efforts to deliver accountability, acknowledge and redress victims, and prevent recurrence in response to massive human rights abuses.

04/22/25

by Isabella Wylie

2025_Q&A with Elena Naughton

New ICTJ Report Explores Pathways for Transitional Justice in Yemen

Since 2014, conflict in Yemen has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, destroyed the economy, and exacerbated systemic marginalization, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes. Yet currently, transitional justice and reconciliation take up little space in the Yemeni political arena. In this context, ICTJ has released a new report that explores pathways to a just and sustainable peace in Yemen.

03/17/25

The sun shines into an urban courtyard of what it appears to be residential buildings.

Opening Space for Transitional Justice in Yemen

This report explores pathways for transitional justice in Yemen, emphasizing victims’ experiences, political dynamics, and existing justice mechanisms. It examines national and local efforts, including mediation and reconciliation initiatives, and highlights the role of Yemeni civil s...

03/17/25

The sun shines into an urban courtyard of what it appears to be residential buildings.

ICTJ Statement on the Recent Massacre in Syria

ICTJ is outraged by the recent massacre in Syria, where over 1,000 civilians were brutally killed in yet another wave of violence. This appalling crime underscores the urgent and undeniable need to protect civilians and provide justice and accountability.

03/11/25

Hopes Heighten for Justice and Accountability in Syria

The fall of the Assad regime marks the beginning of a long-overdue transformation in Syria. For the first time in decades, space has opened to speak freely about justice, accountability, and reconciliation. It is a moment filled with uncertainty and pain, but also one of immense hope.

03/03/25

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Large crowd of people in a city street some holding and waving the Syrian flags

ICTJ Report Explores the Opportunities and Dilemmas That International Sanctions Present for Justice

As a tool of foreign policy, sanctions have historically been deployed by one or more states to coerce a change of behavior or policy. In recent years, however, states have increasingly imposed sanctions on actors responsible for human rights violations, which has expanded their potential to advance transitional justice goals. Now, ICTJ is releasing a new report that considers this potential as well as the obstacles to justice sanctions may engender.

02/19/25

in two different photos, people hold signs for and against sanctions

We work side by side with victims to obtain acknowledgment and redress for massive human rights violations, hold those responsible to account, reform and build democratic institutions, and prevent the recurrence of violence or repression.