European Commission supports additional assistance for reconciliation of societies affected by human rights abuses
The European Commission has established a funding facility of € 12 million under the Stability Instrument to provide
timely and focused assistance to ad-hoc tribunals and transitional justice initiatives around the world. The aim is to
encourage reconciliation and help build sustainable peace in post crisis situations. This funding facility will allow
the Commission to rapidly mobilise resources in the form of policy advice, technical, logistical and financial
assistance, to support individual actions and projects.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy commented: "Transitional
justice and ad-hoc tribunals have become central elements for peace building and post-conflict resolution as can be seen
in Ruanda, Sierra Leone or Cambodia. Hence, they have been integrated into our broader EU crisis management responses.
Addressing the question of human rights abuse in transitional and post-conflict situation is instrumental in order to
foster reconciliation and sustainable peace and stability. This initiative underlines again our strong commitment to
enhance the global fight against impunity and to promote reconciliation in post-crisis situations."
This new EC funding facility under the Stability Instrument will provide additional assistance for ad-hoc international
criminal courts and ad-hoc national tribunals, as well as truth and reconciliation commissions. In addition, it will
support mechanisms for the legal settlement of human rights claims and the assertion and adjudication of property
rights, established in accordance with international human rights and rule of law standards. Consideration will also be
given to supporting institutional reform measures aiming to prevent serious abuses from recurring. Implementing partners
are international and regional organizations, state and non-state actors and the specific tribunals and truth
commissions.
The European Union has been providing considerable support in this area under various funding instruments during the
last years, in terms of assistance to transitional justice mechanisms like the international criminal tribunals in
Ruanda, Sierra Leone or in Cambodia and in the context of broader programmes covering areas such as good governance,
rule of law and the security sector through mainstream EU development assistance.
Further information on the Stability Instrument:
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/worldwide/stability-instrument/index_en.htm
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