Post Conflict Justice in Post Conflict Societies: An Exploration on the perceptions and limitations of justice in Northern Ireland

我的研究的主要目的是调查冲突后社会的过渡司法。传统上，过渡司法与从威权和不民主国家向民主国家过渡联系在一起。北爱尔兰的例子表明，在致力于法治的高度发达的民主国家中，侵犯人权行为可能会发生，同时还提供过多的保护措施，目的是在一个表面上的民主国家内发现和保护这种侵犯人权行为的受害者。我认为，这一背景提供了一个有价值和切合实际的案例研究，以评估冲突后社会中存在的不同正义观念，以及法律机制是否能够提供北爱尔兰公众所希望的那种正义。为了解决持续影响政治和社会氛围的冲突遗留问题，白厅提出了一项特赦方案，旨在为动乱划上句号。这一特赦可能会关闭那些受到动乱期间所犯罪行影响的人获得真相和伸张正义的主要可能途径，包括英国军方的罪行。在过渡时期司法中被放大的问责概念似乎往往仅限于要求起诉和监禁参与严重侵犯人权行为的人。英国政府认为，为了解决北爱尔兰的过去问题，有必要改变可以通过法院行动实现的报复性司法，转而实行恢复性司法，鼓励社会寻求和解。然而，这些提议引发了北爱尔兰政党对那些直接受到冲突影响的人的一致谴责。有人质疑特赦是否是实现持久和平与正义的有效工具？应如何定义与遗留案件有关的正义？在冲突后社会中，有哪些替代法律机制能够处理复杂的历史罪行？这些问题是我希望研究的基础，我想探讨特赦在破坏社会对北爱尔兰和平进程的正义和持久的理解方面所起的作用。我将调查更广泛的司法视角是否直接与赦免在冲突后司法与缔造和平方面发挥更具建设性作用的能力有关。白厅提出的特赦计划是在《耶稣受难日协议》签署23年后提出的。这项研究的关键时间因素是，随着关于拟议大赦的更多信息的公布，这项研究之所以如此令人信服，仍然是一个问题，即缺乏任何形式的司法将有助于还是阻碍和解进程和实现可持续和平的进展。

The primary aim of my research is to investigate transitional justice in post-conflict societies. Transitional justice has traditionally been associated with transition from authoritarian and undemocratic states to democracy. Northern Ireland showcases that human rights violations can occur in highly developed democracies, committed to the rule of law alongside a plethora of protections designed to detect and protect victims of such violations within an ostensible democracy. I believe that this context presents a valuable and pertinent case study to assess the different perceptions of justice that exist in a post conflict society and whether a legal mechanism could deliver the kind of justice that the Northern Irish public desire.The British Government finds itself at a critical juncture in relation to Northern Ireland. An amnesty proposed by Whitehall to 'draw a line' under the Troubles has emerged to settle a legacy of conflict that continues to impact the political and social atmosphere. This amnesty could have the potential to shut down primary possible avenues to truth and justice for those affected by crimes committed during the Troubles, including those by the British Military. The notion of accountability that is amplified in transitional justice often appears limited to demands for the prosecution and imprisonment of those who have been involved in serious human rights violations. The British Government deems that a departure from the retributive justice which can be delivered through court action, towards restorative justice is what is necessary to address Northern Ireland's past, encouraging society to look towards reconciliation. However, the proposals have prompted unanimous condemnation from Northern Irish political parties to those directly affected by the conflict. Questions have been raised concerning whether an amnesty is an effective tool to achieve a lasting peace and justice? How should justice be defined in relation to legacy cases? What alternative legal mechanisms are capable with dealing with complexity of historic crimes in a post conflict society? These questions are what I wish to base my research on.I want to explore the role of amnesty in undermining socially constructed understandings of justice and longevity of the peace process in Northern Ireland. I will investigate whether a broader perspective of justice speaks directly to the capacity for amnesties to play a more constructive role in post-conflict justice and peace-making. Whitehall's proposed amnesty has been introduced 23 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. The time critical element of the study is what makes it so compelling, as more information is released about the proposed Amnesty, the question remains if the absence of any form of justice will help or hinder the reconciliation process and progress towards a sustainable peace.