Transitional Justice and Conflict in South Asia.

Transitional justice refers to a multiplicity of approaches to address past human rights abuses in societies transitioning from authoritarian rule to democracy. However, the concept has increasingly become relevant in contexts of imperfect transitions or even ongoing conflicts. This paper is a critical exploration of the applicability of transitional justice mechanisms in the context of South Asia where major conflicts remain unresolved. Recently in Nepal peace was brokered between the Maoists and the government and a transitional government was formed. But in Sri Lanka and Kashmir, the peace processes are at different stages and impunity continues to fuel both the conflicts.One of the main reasons for the collapse of the peace process in Sri Lanka was its failure to incorporate crucial issues of justice and reconciliation. Similarly, the incipient attempts at peace by Indian and Pakistan in Kashmir have ignored the voices of victims and those who suffered the brunt of violence. This paper argues for discussing and building on justice and reconciliation in all phases of the process including pre settlement. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]