The Global Experience of Transitional Justice: The Right to Reparations in Transitional Justice Jürgen Schurr Legal Adviser at REDRESS, London Much of REDRESS’s work with victims of torture takes place during or after conflict or post repressive regimes, and therefore falls broadly within a context of ‘transition’. In this respect, REDRESS’s focus is primarily on the accountability of perpetrators and providing reparation to victims. Over the past twenty years of REDRESS’s existence, processes of transition have taken place in almost all countries that REDRESS works in, all over the world: in Latin America, in Peru and Chile; to some extent in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Iron Curtain; in Asia in Nepal, the Philippines, and to some extent in Sri Lanka; as well as in many African countries, including Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, South Africa and many others. Interesting transition processes are also currently ongoing in North Africa, in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt – all countries recovering from decades of repressive regimes. What is transitional justice, or justice in transition? The UN Rule of Law and Transitional Justice Report of 2004 says that transitional justice is ‘the full range of processes and mechanisms associated with a society’s attempt to come to terms with a legacy of large-scale past abuses, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation’.1 The components of transitional justice, according to the UN, can include both judicial and non-judicial processes and mechanisms, including prosecution initiatives, facilitating initiatives in respect of the right to truth, delivering reparations, institutional reform and national consultations. Whatever combination is chosen must be in conformity with international legal standards and obligations [my emphasis].2 1  United Nations, The Rule of Law and Transitional Justice in Conflict and Post-conflict Societies: Report of the Secretary-General (S/2004/616), available at <http://www.unrol.org/ files/2004%20report.pdf>. Accessed 10 Apr. 2103. 2  United Nations, Guidance Note of the Secretary-General: United Nations Approach to Transitional Justice, March 2010, <http://www.unrol.org/files/TJ_Guidance_Note_ March_2010FINAL.pdf>. Accessed on 25 Feb. 2013. International Conference on Transitional Justice, Zimbabwe 21