Reference

The Belfast Guidelines on Amnesty and Accountability are a set of principles and guidelines developed to assist in making or evaluating decisions on amnesties and accountability in the midst or wake of conflict or repression. The guidelines aim to balance the need for accountability with the need for reconciliation and peace-building.

The guidelines were developed by an expert group of independent, interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners from different world regions and areas with recent experience of dealing with gross human rights violations. They were motivated by the recognition that states have multiple legal obligations, including the duty to investigate, provide a remedy to victims, and prevent abuses from being repeated.

The guidelines identify the multiple obligations and objectives facing states in protecting human rights, and provide guidance on the design of conditional amnesties as a tool to accompany broader transitional justice processes. They also highlight the importance of public consultations and the need for transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.

According to the guidelines, amnesties should only be considered in exceptional circumstances, and should be carefully designed to ensure that they do not undermine accountability or perpetuate impunity. The guidelines also emphasize the importance of victims' rights and the need for reparations and compensation.

The Belfast Guidelines have been widely endorsed and have influenced policy and practice in several countries, including Colombia, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. They have also been cited in various international and national court decisions, and have been recognized as a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars working on transitional justice and human rights issues.

Here are some relevant images:

Image 1: The Belfast Guidelines on Amnesty and Accountability cover page

Image 2: Mural at the International Peace Wall, Belfast, for Amnesty International

Sources:

• "The Belfast Guidelines on Amnesty and Accountability" by Louise Mallinder and Tom Hadden (2014)
• "Rethinking Amnesty and Accountability" by Mark Kersten, Justice in Conflict (2014)
• "Belfast Guidelines on Amnesty and Accountability" by Ulster University
• "Amnesties and Armed Conflicts" by Geneva Call