The impact of civil-military relations on democracy and human rights: Lessons from Latin America

One of the most contentious issues after the transition from military rule to democratic rule is how to deal with human rights violations committed by the military regime. Typically, the outgoing military regime will try to protect itself from prosecution by establishing amnesty laws. Over time, civilian-military tension usually eases, and the military is likely to wish to distance itself from repression committed by previous military regimes. The courtroom has therefore become an increasingly common meeting place for retired military officials, and victims and their families who have suffered various forms of abuse at the hands of the military: torture, rape, forced exile, extrajudicial killings, detained-disappearance, massacres, even genocide. An overview of developments in transitional justice for past wrongs in Latin America, covering the period from the early transitions to democratic rule in the 1980s to the present, shows that time and patience are of utmost importance for those waiting for justice. (Will be published as part of conference report in English, Turkish & Arabic)