Photo de groupe au moment de conclure le Forum international "Expériences comparées en Justice Transitionnelle", tenu les 23 et 24 avril 2025 à Bogota, Colombie
How can we advance the prosecution of international crimes and ensure reparations for victims?
This question was at the heart of discussions during the “Comparative Experiences in Transitional Justice” international forum, held on April 23 and 24 at the Tequendama Hotel in Bogotá, Colombia.
The event was organized by Lawyers Without Borders Canada (LWB Canada) in partnership with Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), as part of the Justice, Gender and Peacebuilding project, funded by the Government of Canada. The goal: to create a space for dialogue, reflection and exchange on concrete experiences and best practices that can strengthen justice in post-conflict contexts.
Over two days, experts from Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, and Mali, among others, came together to share insights on the challenges and opportunities of transitional justice. Key speakers included Juan Pablo Albán Alencastro, UN Special Rapporteur on Enforced Disappearances; Lucía Aguirre, representative of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights; Bernard Duhaime, former UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence; and Alejandro Ramelli, magistrate and President of the JEP.
The forum explored critical topics such as victims’ rights to truth, justice, reparation and non-repetition, international standards for reparation, genocide, and tools to prove gender-based violence in armed conflict settings.
« In today’s global context, where anti-rights rhetoric is rising and the principles of international law are under constant attack, it’s essential to reaffirm our collective commitment and defend human dignity,” said Stelsie Angers, Director of LWB Canada in Colombia. “By sharing experiences, we strengthen our work in support of victims’ rights and the rule of law. »
At the forum’s conclusion, participating organizations and individuals reaffirmed their commitment to international criminal justice by issuing a joint statement. The message: collaboration between institutions, civil society, victims, and justice professionals is essential to building a justice system that is inclusive, accessible and effective.
About Lawyers Without Borders Canada
Lawyers Without Borders Canada is a non-governmental organization dedicated to international cooperation. For over 20 years, LWB Canada has worked to uphold human rights by strengthening access to justice and legal representation for people in vulnerable situations.