Introduction

This chapter focuses on main transitional justice mechanisms and theories. Countries affected by armed conflict and authoritarian regimes frequently suffer from gross human rights violations. On their road to achieve positive peace afterwards, States often pass through a period of transition in which political and social changes take place so the rule of law, democracy, and human rights protection and respect can flourish. It is in such contexts when transitional justice comes into play, being its primary goal to address the legacies of past violence and human rights abuses and contribute to reconciliation through accountability. Transitional justice strategies were not originally conceived as a tool to achieve peace, but rather they were designed to stabilise social relations. Finally, the chapter presents an overview of this book. The book argues in favour of the inclusion of socio-economic rights in transitional justice.