Transitional Justice and Children

Abstract

This chapter examines the importance of transitional justice as a measure to provide remedy for children in cases of massive societal violence, such as armed conflicts, international crimes, or atrocities. It presents different transitional justice initiatives and how they have engaged children, briefly reviewing child-sensitive approaches to criminal accountability, truth-seeking initiatives, reparations programs, and institutional reforms. It recommends that children and young people be consulted and engaged when transitional justice mechanisms and processes are implemented, while protecting their best interests at all times. It highlights the importance of educational reform as a key institutional reform in furthering transitional justice. The chapter proposes that educational reform be positioned as a key instrument for transitional justice, as it plays an important role in children’s recovery, contributing to their cognitive and psychological development while concomitantly advancing social cohesion and long-term peacebuilding.