Pablo de Greiff, an international expert on transitional justice and the first UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-recurrence is to speak at the University of Essex next week.

The UN Special Rapporteur will give the third Essex Transitional Justice Network Annual Lecture on 7 May.

His lecture, a timely reflection on the role that transitional justice has had and could have in societies moving away from conflict or repression, is entitled ‘Taking Stock of Transitional Justice: Challenges and Opportunities.’

Dr Clara Sandoval, Director of the Essex Transitional Justice Network (ETJN), said: “No one is better placed than Pablo de Greiff to link theory and practice in the field of transitional justice. His understanding of the field has shaped and influenced how these processes developed in many parts of the world and, he will continue to do so as the first UN Special Rapporteur on the subject. The ETJN will provide him with a unique multidisciplinary setting to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of transitional justice.”

Mr de Greiff will address questions such as whether transitional justice should incorporate issues not previously part of its scope, including the role of corporations in mass atrocities and violations of economic, social and cultural rights. He will also explore his role as UN Special Rapporteur and the role of multi- and interdisciplinary work to advance transitional justice goals.

Born in Colombia, Pablo de Greiff is Director of Research at the International Center for Transitional Justice in New York. He studied at Yale University and Northwestern University. He has previously held academic positions at the State University of New York, where he taught ethics and political theory, and Princeton University.

Pablo de Greiff’s lecture starts at 3pm on 7 May in the University’s Tony Rich Teaching Centre. To register your place e-mail: etjnfr01@essex.ac.uk with the subject line “lecture RSVP.”

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Notes to editors

1. For further information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office, telephone: 01206 873529 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk.

2. The Essex Transitional Justice Network brings together people from the University of Essex and collaborators from the UK and abroad to explore issues faced by societies undergoing fundamental socio-political change, notably the transition from a repressive to a democratic or constitutional regime, or from a state of civil war and unrest to peace and prosperity. It provides a platform for researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to better understand transitional justice and thereby to improve the situation on the ground. Find out more at: www.essex.ac.uk/tjn/.