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Blog: Organizing Tips for Citizens Tribunals

Imagen de Philippe Duhamel
Post April 12th, 2008 por Philippe Duhamel
TribunalPhoto cc: bloomsberries.

 

A mock tribunal is not a kangoroo court. The more your mock tribunal adheres to recognized standards of a fair trial, and resembles the existing proceedings in your country, the more credibility the endeavour can earn.

 

We have explained previously how citizen-based mock tribunals make good use of premonitory power, discussed the impact of repressed testimonies towards making truth and reconciliation possible, and covered 14 things to think about before you organize a mock tribunal.

 

In this last piece on paralegal forums, we turn to practical advice on conducting non-governmental "trials", with some ideas for follow-up activities that can prolong and widen the tribunal's impact.

Blog: Before you organize a mock tribunal: 14 things to think about

Imagen de Philippe Duhamel
Post April 3rd, 2008 por Philippe Duhamel

tribunalPhoto cc: JaHoVil

 

When faced with problems such as weak or no enforcement of human rights law, or even the lack of proper national legal instruments, how can you determine whether a mock tribunal is the right tactic for you? What factors should you weigh in before you decide?

 

And if you thought a citizen-based tribunal could be a useful tactic, how would you go about organizing it? What are some of the steps involved in setting up such a large-scale, public event? For instance, how should you choose those who will play a direct part in it, especially judges (or commissioners)?

 

In A Mock Tribunal to Advance Change, Mufuliat Fijabi has helped us answer those questions. The following checklist includes some of her advice, and other tips.

 

You can quickly scan through the list to see what organizing a tribunal entails. The checklist includes 11 "before you organize" items, and 3 "early prep" tasks.

Blog: Hard truths and the way of the anger and the tears

Imagen de Philippe Duhamel
Post March 26th, 2008 por Philippe Duhamel
Sowetophoto cc: mick y

 

When whole systems were erected for the sole purpose of repressing and silencing you, how do you recover your voice?

 

On far too many continents, in far too many remote villages, tumultuous townships and forgotten urban alleyways, whole generations have witnessed their pregnant daughters being raped as evening entertainment for armed men, have survived the terror of disappearances in the dead of the night, and have seen the charred bodies of their sons in bombed car carcasses.

 

Where can these communities turn for a silver lining of justice, a possibility to heal and recover, a sense that the future may be livable?

 

When the level of atrocities finally recedes, what great big tide can come to cleanse with salty waters the bruised bodies and tortured souls left as wrecks on the shores of history?

 

Truth be told. Reconciliation is hard. But the only thing harder than that, apparently, is a lifetime of bitterness and hatred, being eaten away with fantasies of revenge, and the unspeakable grief that secret crimes beget.