In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Dr. Paul Williams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Meg deGuzman, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Institute for International Law and Public Policy at Temple University. Professor de Guzman, a distinguished judge at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and Senior Peace Fellow at PILPG, shares her expansive view on the role of justice mechanisms in building durable peace.

Throughout the interview, they explore the complexities and nuances of international justice and the evolution of accountability. Professor deGuzman highlights the potential of non-judicial accountability mechanisms, such as truth commissions and reparations. While the proliferation of judicial mechanisms like the International Criminal Court has been significant, she points out that these non-judicial approaches are not receiving the same attention but hold substantial promise for contributing to justice and durable peace. Reflecting on her experiences from the Rome negotiations for the International Criminal Court to her work at the Yugoslavia Tribunal, Professor de Guzman provides a candid assessment of the impact of justice on peace processes.

Join us for a compelling discussion on the evolving landscape of international justice, the successes and limitations of current mechanisms, and the critical role that diverse accountability mechanisms can play in fostering lasting peace.

In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Anna Triponel delves into the challenging yet hopeful post-Gaddafi era in Libya. After nearly 50 years of authoritarian rule, the nation faced the monumental task of building a new identity from the ground up, with no existing rule of law infrastructure or constitution. The Libyan people encountered a myriad of obstacles, including the widespread circulation of weapons and deep-seated distrust among various factions.

Anna, who led PILPG’s efforts to advise Libya on the post-conflict constitutional process and specifically headed the Libyan women’s cohort during this transformative period, discusses the initial enthusiasm for the constitution-building process. She highlights how this enthusiasm waned as the complexities of unifying a country with stark regional and ethnic differences became apparent. Anna emphasizes the difficulties of fostering loyalty to a national identity while respecting regional diversities and the critical role of building client relationships through understanding individuals' backgrounds and motivations.

One of the key highlights of the episode is Anna’s work with the Libyans to develop a domestic accountability mechanism for atrocity crimes, illustrating their desire for local justice over international interventions. The episode sheds light on the challenges faced when the International Criminal Court's involvement was undermined by militia power, highlighting the ongoing need for authentic reconciliation efforts in Libya.

Listeners will find valuable lessons in Anna’s reflections, particularly the significance of empathy and humility in international peace efforts. Her insights remind us that understanding the lived experiences of those we work with is paramount, as these issues are often matters of life and death.

This episode is a compelling exploration of the complexities of post-conflict nation-building and the human connections that underpin successful peace processes.

This episode of Lawyering Peace, features Chief Prosecutor for the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone (Special Court), David Crane. Crane is renowned for indicting Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, marking the first time a sitting head of state was held accountable for atrocity crimes. Given this milestone, the Special Court has been used as a blueprint for subsequent international criminal tribunals.

The episode delves into the effectiveness of the Special Court in establishing durable peace and explores the conflict in Sierra Leone that led to its creation. It also examines the blanket amnesty provided in the peace agreement that ended the conflict and the impact of the Truth Commission that was conducted prior to the court's mandate.

David Crane shares some of the unique challenges and unexpected obstacles he faced as Chief Prosecutor, providing a vivid account of his experiences.

Notably, David’s story exemplifies how “the rule of law is more powerful than the rule of the gun”.

Tune in to gain insight on navigating the politics of justice.