ABSTRACT
Transitional justice has emerged as a body of study and practice in response to the practical challenges faced in promoting various goals during a political transition. The term 'transitional justice' was first coined in response to debates among scholars and human rights advocates in relation to the set of challenges faced by transitions from dictatorship to democracy in the Southern Cone of America. Transitional justice was taken up by regional bodies, such as the African Union (AU), which took on an increasing role in supporting national efforts to deal with issues of accountability and peace-building. The Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is clearly pushing the boundaries of transitional justice and sharpening debate about its motives, its control and its feasibility. The challenge of building legitimacy for international actors, particularly the UN organs, is one that is likely to face particular challenges in the MENA context.
