Thirty scholars and experts discuss and provide wide-ranging views on a variety of accountability measures: the establishment of ad hoc criminal tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda; truth commissions in South Africa and El Salvador; and lustration laws for the former Czechoslovakia and Germany after its reunification. Also discussed are amnesty for previous crimes and accountability, post-conflict justice involving issues pertaining to the restoration of law and order, and the rebuilding of failed national justice systems. In addition, the book also contains an important set of guidelines designed to achieve accountability and eliminate impunity. The guidelines with commentaries have been prepared by a distinguished group of experts, many of whom have also contributed articles to this volume. Published under the Transnational Publishers imprint.

"Cherif Bassiouni" is often referred to as "the father of international criminal law." Every major international criminal law instrument developed in the last forty years, from the Torture Convention to the Statute of the International Criminal Court, bears his hallmark. His writings, diplomatic initiatives, fieldwork, and even litigation have made an unparalleled contribution to the emergence of international criminal law as a distinct discipline within the field of international law. This book contains a collection of fifteen scholarly essays, written by leading experts from around the world, about the theory and practice of modern international criminal law, with a focus on "Cherif Bassiouni's" unique legacy within this important area. Among the contributing authors are "Louise Arbour," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; "Mahnoush Arsanjani," Chief of the UN Office of Legal Affairs Codification Division; "Diane Orentlicher," UN Independent Expert on Combating Impunity; "Michael Reisman," former President of the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights; "Yves Sandoz," Director for International Law of the International Committee of the Red Cross; "William Schabas," Member of the Sierra Leone Truth Commission; "Brigitte Stern," Advocate for the Bosnians in the World Court's Genocide case; and "Prince Hassan bin Talal," first President of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court.

The trend for international engagement in post-conflict reconstruction has produced a host of best-practice postulates on topics such as local involvement in decision-making, accountability for past atrocities, sensitivity to context, and the construction of democratic institutions of governance. International law has potential relevance for many of these themes, yet the question of how the implementation of best-practice policy recommendations might be affected by international law remains under-examined. This book offers a fuller understanding of the role of international law in the practice of post-conflict reconstruction. It explores how international legal issues that arise in the post-conflict period relate to a number of strands of the policy debate, including government creation, constitution-making, gender policy, provision of security, justice for past atrocities, rule of law development, economic recovery, returning displaced persons, and responsibilities of international actors. The chapters of the book work to reveal the extent to which international law figures in the policy of internationally enabled post-conflict reconstruction across a range of sectors. They also highlight the scope for international law to be harnessed in a more effective manner from the perspective of the transition to peace and stability. The book lays out a basis for future policy making on post-conflict reconstruction; one that is informed about the international legal parameters, and more aware of how international law can be utilized to promote key objectives.

This publication includes a survey of world conflicts that occurred between 1945 and 2008, the level of victimization they produced, and the subsequent post-conflict justice (PCJ) mechanisms which were applied. It is intended to show the scope of the problem faced by international criminal justice (ICJ), and how the International Criminal Court (ICC) needs to shape its mission and approach to address ICJ needs and expectations. -- From publisher's description.