Former perpetrators as agents of social change

• In Event: Atrocity Crimes: Challenges, Approaches and Impacts of Transitional Justice (ECACTJ)

Abstract

In the aftermath of war and gross human rights violations, transitional justice is tasked with promoting interventions that foster social change and reconciliation. To achieve this goal, there is a growing consensus on the crucial role of involving populations affected by conflicts. However, while literature and practices often emphasize the importance of engaging victims in transitions, less attention is given to the participation of former perpetrators. This presentation advocates for a more inclusive approach to transitional justice, emphasizing the need for an active involvement of those responsible for large-scale acts of violence in its programs. This is not only to ensure the effective reintegration of ex-combatants into post-conflict societies but, more importantly, because they can make substantial contributions to the realization of positive peace. This claim is supported by evidence from a qualitative study on the Italian “dissociation movement” (movimento della dissociazione), which gathered former terrorists in the 1980s for a pacification effort. Overall, the findings suggest that former perpetrators can serve as valuable resources in transitional justice initiatives as agents of social change.

Author

• Chiara Chisari, Alma Mater Studiorum - Bologna University