Post-war violence and impunity

Transition periods after wars pose significant challenges in terms of political accommodation, demilitarisation of societies, restoration of the rule of law, and reconstruction of public services and infrastructure. In addition, dealing with the high levels of impunity usually constitutes a major problem. This chapter critically examines representations of post-war violence, its causes and its links with impunity for acts of violence committed during the war. It also explores the political sources of impunity and underscores the inability of post-war arrangements to transform the pre-war conditions that led to the escalation of violence. Feminist approaches to accountability and transitional justice are reviewed, underscoring the constraints and limits of existing transitional justice mechanisms.