Reconciliation in international human rights law: perceptions, principles and practice

This article examines the relationship between reconciliation and international human rights law by analysing the case law and reports of international courts and human rights treaty bodies in light of multidisciplinary theory on reconciliation. It establishes that human rights institutions see reconciliation as a complex objective that should entail: the restoration of horizontal and vertical relationships; inclusivity in the design and implementation of measures to deal with the past; independent investigations and acknowledgement of past harms; and meaningful efforts to understand and address the root causes of conflict. Having established this theoretical and legal framework for the advancement of “thicker” reconciliation, the article critically examines the work of the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) in Northern Ireland. It argues that challenges arising from its controversial origins as well as limitations in its remit and power substantially curb its ability to advance human-rights based reconciliation.