New Research Explores the Potential of Transitional Justice to Address Organised Crime Violence

A new paper by Huma Haider examines whether a transitional justice framework can help address large-scale violence perpetrated or supported by organised crime and criminal actors. The research highlights that in many contemporary conflict and post-conflict settings, the boundaries between atrocity crimes and organised criminal activity are increasingly blurred, creating challenges for traditional law-enforcement responses.

The paper argues that where organised crime contributes to or crosses into atrocity crimes, transitional justice approaches may offer a valuable and legally grounded alternative or complement to conventional counter-organised crime strategies. Rather than focusing solely on prosecution and enforcement, transitional justice places victims and affected communities at the centre, supporting truth-seeking, acknowledgement of harm, restoration of dignity, reparations and institutional reform.

Drawing on lessons from the International Criminal Court, Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Guatemala’s hybrid justice mechanisms, truth commissions and reparations programmes, the research identifies practical approaches for addressing overlapping forms of criminal and political violence. These include investigating atrocity crimes and organised crime simultaneously, recognising broader patterns of violence through a macro-criminal lens, and incorporating collective and symbolic reparations.

While challenges remain - including political resistance, institutional complexity and questions of mandate - the paper provides important insights for policymakers and practitioners working in peacebuilding, transitional justice, counter-organised crime and law enforcement. It contributes to growing discussions on how societies can respond more effectively to interconnected forms of violence and better meet the needs of victims.

Find the research paper and accompanying briefing note here and learn more about the project here.