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[email protected] Helpdesk Research Report Transitional justice lessons for Syria (revised report) Becky Carter Revised 05.02.2014 Question . Which particular lessons can be drawn from transitional justice in the Arab world and might be useful for the conflict in Syria? . What is the impact of the sectarian nature of a conflict for transitional justice? . What are the opportunities and limitations of an international actor and donor, such as the EU, in transitional justice? . Which elements of transitional justice pose a concrete risk to the post-conflict stabilisation process and how can this be avoided? Contents 1. Overview 2. Summary of transitional processes in the Arab world 3. Lessons learned from the Arab world 4. Impact of a sectarian conflict 5. International actors in transitional justice 6. Risks to post-conflict stabilisation 7. References Annex 1: Annotated bibliography Annex 2: Transitional justice in Arab countries 1. Overview While literature on transitional justice (TJ) experiences in the Arab world is limited, there is emerging analysis of experiences in ‘Arab Spring’1 countries, and some analysis of previous TJ experiences. From a rapid review of this literature, the following key findings have been identified: Lessons from TJ experiences in the Arab world . Factors that are common in the region have implications for TJ processes: weak state legitimacy and capacity; decades of authoritarian rule and deep societal divisions; deep-seated socio- economic inequalities; the recent wave of political transitions