ABSTRACT
This chapter draws lessons from Central and Eastern European (CEE) transitions for Arab Spring countries, it first details the very different backdrops temporal and political against which these transitions transpire. The CEE transitions were reluctant to apply large-scale punishment and vetting, and refrained even from organizing trials for high ranking perpetrators. In all CEE transition countries, transition took place under close observation from powerful hegemons. The experience of transitional justice in CEE offers multiple useful lessons for Arab Spring countries. Arab Spring countries should also take into account the unintended political consequences of victim-centered policies. Security sector reform is an important aspect of transition for countries with a legacy of authoritarianism and human rights violations by police, the military and intelligence services. Organizational models must be replaced and organizational cultures must be changed to prevent a continuation of the old norms and practices and to promote faith in the sector going forward among the citizenry.
