Dealing with the Past (Uni Basel)

Finding a way to deal with a violent past following events such as civil war, the end of an authoritarian regime or occupation, is often argued to be the basis for lasting peace, democracy and rule of law. International advocacy networks, norms and legal frameworks support national and local actors in the design of mechanisms and processes, such as with truth commissions, tribunals or commemorations. The interactions of these actors shape whether or not a particular dealing with the past process succeeds in being locally relevant and effective. This course examines the potentials and challenges for the design and implementation of dealing with the past processes. Engaging with key debates in the field, it focuses on how to ensure that dealing with the past processes support the transformation of violent conflicts.