Transitional justice for breaking cycles of violence in Burundi

This dissertation examines the role of transitional justice mechanisms in breaking cycles of violence in Burundi. The aim of the truth seeking by Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the justice seeking by prosecutions and trials, the reparation programs and the institutional reform in any transitional justice endeavour after mass violation of human rights have been analyzed in order to reach the objective which is to find out how the transitional justice mechanisms recommended by the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement can break the cycles of violence in Burundi. For the purpose of well understanding, the transitional justice concept has been analyzed under international law in order to know the legal basis of the truth seeking, justice seeking and reparation after massive abuses. Only a Truth and Reconciliation Commission already established and a Special Court to be established have been retained for Burundi in place of an International Judicial Inquiry Commission, a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission and an International Criminal Tribunal for Burundi originally recommended by the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement. The process of transitional justice in Burundi is now starting on a wrong basis. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission law which was much criticized and a tendency of current leaders to exclude the establishment of the Special Court push to think that there is nothing to expect from the established TRC. With good will, it is not too late to change and set up strong and independent transitional justice mechanisms capable of breaking cycles of violence and build a lasting peace in Burundi.