FAQS about the CPA’s

Transitional Justice Strategy

 

 

• What is the Office of Human Rights and Transitional Justice?  The OHRTJ is an office that was created by the Coalition Provisional Authority in order to address human rights concerns and the transitional justice process in Iraq. 

 

• Why combine Human Rights and Transitional Justice? This office provides an effective platform where Transitional Justice initiatives dovetail with human rights activities.  Examples of these benefits include:  

 

• The ability to coordinate forensic teams working on Mass Graves for both the dual mission of evidence collection and humanitarian identification.    
• Human Rights information collection efforts and investigations for Human Rights documentation of past abuses can also be used as evidence for accountability under Transitional Justice system. 
• The Human Rights Office starts the immediate process of finding answers to the truth and seeking reconciliation for survivors.  Over the long term, the development of a Transitional Justice system, comprising administrative and criminal structures, can provide accountability and further reconciliation.  
• Sharing funds and resources make the office more efficient, both financially and operationally.

 

• Where is the OHRTJ?  The OHRTJ has its own office space in the Convention Center located in Central Baghdad.  These office spaces are accessible to the public, which is one of the primary purposes of the OHRTJ.

 

• What type of structure does the OHRTJ use to work with counterparts on Transitional Justice initiatives?   The OHRTJ has formed the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG):  This group allows a forum for discussing ideas and forging a way forward on Transitional Justice.  The group has the advantage of bringing in a wide variety of perspectives to include:  the Iraqi Lawyers Union, the Iraqi Jurists Association, Iraqi judicial officials, human rights organizations, local NGOs, international NGOs, CPA officials, CPA military officials, Governing Council representatives, the UN, etc.  The TJWG meets every other Tuesday in the Convention Center before the weekly human rights meeting.  This provides a good opportunity for the TJWG to share information, develop proposals, assign new goals, and provide guidance to each other in carrying out the Transitional Justice objective.

 

• What type of relationship does the OHRTJ have with the Coalition Forces and why is that important?  There is a strong relationship with military counterparts, especially with the military legal and civil affairs communities.  The military has possession of massive amounts of potential evidence that could be used in a Transitional Justice process.  The military also understands the capabilities of the local judiciary and the types of justice the local community seeks as a result of decades of systematic human rights abuses.  This information will be very helpful in constructing a viable Transitional Justice system.