Restorative justice for war criminals

• In Event: ASC Presidential Panel: Intersections of Justice, Law, and Policy in Latin America: Emerging Opportunities to Tackle Serious/organized Crime

Abstract

Judge Julieta Lemaitre Ripoll, magistrate of Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and renowned socio-legal scholar, reflects on her work investigating and assigning responsibility to former guerrilla commanders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Her focus centers on the ethical challenges of fostering meaningful dialogue between victims and perpetrators, as well as navigating the complexities of adjudication in the aftermath of civil war. This intervention explores restorative justice within transitional justice frameworks from a reflective practitioner’s perspective, addressing the dilemmas inherent in holding war criminals accountable while simultaneously supporting their reintegration into society. Particular attention is given to restorative justice encounters between perpetrators and victims of international crimes, emphasizing the distinct roles of defendants, survivors, and judges.

Author

• Julieta Lemaitre Ripoll, Judge, Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Colombia