Regional Organizations Approaches Towards Transitional Justice: The European Union and The Economic Community of Western African States
Regional Organizations Approaches Towards Transitional Justice: The European Union and The Economic Community of Western African States

Summary/Abstract: This article examines the policies of both the European Union (EU) towards the Balkans and the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) towards Liberia with regards to transitional justice. This issue is important as, as regional organizations become more prominent in international relations and post conflict regions it is important to examine their policies as different regional organizations’ policies have had different results, some more desirable then others. This article argues that while both the EU and ECOWAS have policies towards transitional justice, the EU’s policies are more effective as the EU conditions its relations to the pursuit of EU interests which often aligns with policies related to transitional justice, especially with regards to political reform and the rule of law. While the EU can claim success with regards to political reform and rule of law, with regards to reparations the EU has a mixed record and finally when it come to truthseeking initiatives the EU falls short. While the EU can claim success with regards to political reform and mixed successes with regards to the other three components, ECOWAS can only claim one success and that is truth-seeking initiatives. When it comes to rule of law, reparations and political reform, ECOWAS has significant room for improvement.

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