The politics of reparation of victim organisations in transitional justice

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Thorsten Bonacker
• Subject Area: Political Science
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 433637747

The application seeks funding for the extension of an ongoing research initiative focused on reparation politics within the context of transitional justice. Our specific interest lies in elucidating the factors that contribute to the success or failure of certain victim and survivor groups in their pursuit of compensation, and how various scope conditions influence these outcomes. This project aspires to advance scholarly understanding of the pivotal role played by victim organizations in societies grappling with the aftermath of mass violence and political repression. To achieve these objectives, we employ a comparative approach, examining cases of transitional justice following intrastate anti-regime wars (Guatemala), secessionist conflicts (Timor Leste), identity-based intrastate violence (Northern Ireland), and state repression (Morocco). In doing so, our research project addresses two interconnected research gaps: a) the selectivity of state reparation policies and b) the role of victim organizations as influential political civil society actors in the realm of transitional justice. Utilizing process tracing methodology, we aim to pinpoint causal mechanisms that underlie the compensation of victims as they come to terms with diverse histories of violence. This endeavor contributes significantly to the development of theoretical frameworks within the field of transitional justice research, offering valuable insights into the complex dynamics at play in societies navigating the aftermath of violence and repression. Over the course of the project, data was collected for three cases and has already been largely analysed. Various challenges, including the pandemic and unforeseeable security risks, have led to delays. In the prolongation requested here, we essentially want to finalise the remaining case study on Timor Leste and the comparative data analysis. The project promises to provide theory-generating insights into the causal mechanisms that lead to (only) certain groups of victims being compensated after the end of violence and repression.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants