Justice Contexts: Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Transitional Justice

This chapter explores the connections between SDG 16 and transitional justice, and, in particular, the ramifications of the approach to justice contained within the SDG indicators and targets. In order to do so, we focus on transitional justice contexts where access to justice issues is particularly severe and challenging, following large-scale violations of human rights. We first address the policy landscape for both transitional justice and SDG 16, before reflecting on a series of intellectual ramifications: (1) going beyond the law, (2) moving from institutions to legitimacy, (3) remaining attentive to context, and (4) enhancing focus on prevention and sustainable development. We then conclude by reflecting on what transitional justice debates teach us about the key questions for seeing a people-centred justice for the SDGs.