What Happens When Genocide Victims and International Criminal Tribunals Work Together?

International criminal tribunals are paying increased attention to victims of mass violence and their communities. Victims can now participate as parties to trials and, in some cases, post questions to the defendant on the stand. Communities are now starting to be seen as valid stakeholders in the justice process, conversing with the courts through outreach. But is this a good trend? Is it in the best interests of justice?

Open Society Fellow Eric Stover and Open Society Justice Initiative Senior Advocacy Officer Tracey Gurd have traveled to several conflict zones in recent months—including Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, and Uganda. At a recent event, they recounted their first-hand observations of the remarkable progress that has been made in reaching out to victims in the aftermath of atrocity. They also identify some unintended consequences of victim outreach and what these consequences portend for the future.

Listen above.