Transitional Justice in Serbia: The Impact on Facing the Past

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Research Design
• The State Policy of Dealing with the Past
  • A Fake Attempt at Dealing with the Past: The Yugoslav TRC
  • The 'Declaration Condemning the Crime in Srebrenica' (March 2010)
• 'RECOM' - The Initiative for a Transnational Post-Yugoslav TRC
  • Transitional Justice and 'The Region'
  • On the Production of Victims
• Concluding Remarks

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master's thesis examines the impact of transitional justice and Europeanization on Serbia's approach to facing the past. It explores the country's complex relationship with European integration, highlighting both its resistance to and its embrace of Europeanization. The study investigates the effects of these dynamics on Serbia's efforts to acknowledge and address past human rights violations. Key themes covered in the text include: * The role of transitional justice in post-conflict states, particularly in the context of the former Yugoslavia. * The influence of the European Union's enlargement policy on transitional justice processes in Serbia. * The interplay between Serbia's historical narratives and its engagement with Europeanization. * The challenges and opportunities for achieving a genuine reconciliation with the past in Serbia. * The impact of external pressures, such as the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), on Serbia's approach to dealing with the past.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for the thesis by highlighting the challenges faced by post-conflict states in transitioning to peace and stability. It emphasizes the growing importance of transitional justice mechanisms, driven by shifts in international law toward a stronger focus on human rights. The author argues that states seeking recognition from the international community are expected to address past human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice. This sets the context for the study of Serbia's experience with transitional justice, which has been heavily influenced by its desire for EU accession.

Research Design

This chapter outlines the research design and methodology of the thesis. The author focuses on the case of Serbia as a key player in the post-Yugoslav region and a state navigating the complexities of European integration. The choice of a qualitative case study is justified, acknowledging the strengths and limitations of this approach in comparison to comparative research designs. The chapter explains the division of the empirical part of the study into two chapters: one examining state policy and the other exploring a civil society initiative.

The State Policy of Dealing with the Past

This chapter delves into Serbia's official policies related to dealing with the past. It examines the role of the Yugoslav Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the "Declaration Condemning the Crime in Srebrenica," highlighting the complexities and contradictions in Serbia's approach to acknowledging past human rights violations.

'RECOM' - The Initiative for a Transnational Post-Yugoslav TRC

This chapter explores a transnational initiative, "RECOM," which aims to establish a post-Yugoslav TRC. The author investigates the initiative's significance in the context of transitional justice and the broader region, analyzing its potential impact on regional reconciliation. The chapter also explores the complexities of victimhood in the aftermath of conflict.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This master's thesis focuses on transitional justice, Europeanization, Serbia, post-conflict reconciliation, historical narratives, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and the European Union's enlargement policy. These keywords encapsulate the core themes and research interests of the work, offering a glimpse into the complex interplay of legal, political, and historical factors influencing Serbia's journey toward a peaceful and reconciled future.