Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (2024)

This full-time training combines theoretical and practice-oriented perspectives. It equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and critical mindset to assist countries, societies, and victims emerging from periods of conflict and repression to address complex transitional justice issues.

• Provide high-level academic education and real-world practice in the field of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law
• Primary focus is placed on strengthening interdisciplinary knowledge and preparing students for future professional activities

Master in Transitional Justice Presentation

• Core courses
• Optional courses
• MTJ Paper
• Internship or Moot Court Competition
• Extracurricular activities

Director(s)

Prof. Gloria GAGGIOLI, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, a joint Centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International Studies (IHEID), Geneva

From Northern Ireland to Burundi, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Tunisia or Guatemala, countries throughout the world struggle to deal with the aftermath of violent conflict or oppressive rule.

What does it mean for a society to come to terms with mass atrocities, such as genocide and ethnic cleansing? How can the rule of law be re-established in a country shattered by wide-scale violence? What are the legal obligations and standards relevant to societies trying to turn the page on a history of political violence? How can the competing demands of peace and justice be balanced in the aftermath of such traumatic events? What can realistically be expected from measures such as trials, truth commissions, reparation programmes and institutional reform?

The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (MTJ) is a one-year full-time postgraduate degree designed for highly qualified and open-minded candidates interested in acquiring high-level academic education and practice in the field of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law.

One of the very few programmes on this subject worldwide, its cross-disciplinary approach combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, philosophical and field perspectives and promotes both academic excellence and independent critical thinking.

Besides core courses that provide a firm grounding in the central theoretical and practical transitional justice issues, the programme allows students to tailor their studies to their particular interests via optional courses, internships, participation in a moot court and a series of extracurricular activities.

Throughout the year, students have access to a prestigious faculty composed of leading academics and renowned experts and practitioners working for international organizations and NGOs who are in touch with the latest developments and debates.

• Courses on theoretical and practical frameworks relevant to transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law
• Optional courses
• Writing of a MTJ paper
• Internships with leading organizations or moot court

• A degree in law or an equivalent degree in a field relevant to transitional justice, such as international relations, political science, philosophy, sociology, anthropology or history
• A solid academic record
• A demonstrable interest in transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law (professional experience, internships, summer schools, conferences attended, publications, etc.)

A sound command of English. You must be able to show, via a  recognized test , that your English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete your course at the Geneva Academy. This requirement does not apply if (1) your mother tongue is English; (2) you have taken an English-taught bachelor’s or master’s degree; (3) you have at least two years’ professional or academic experience in an English-speaking environment

What I am particularly enjoying about the programme is that it exposes you to an unparalleled diversity of the student body that allows drawing from a wealth of experience of each student. Another remarkable thing is that the professors teaching at the Geneva Academy combine extensive theoretical knowledge with robust transitional justice practitioner work enabling a student to look at a particular issue through practical and theoretical lenses.  Alexander Bekmurzin 2022-2023