Lost in Translation? The ICTY and the Legacy of War Crimes in the Western Balkans

Statue of Lady Justice, courtesy Scott/flickr

This statue is located in the foyer of the Air Force Judge Advocate General School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala

This brief explores the discrepancy between the negative attitudes and perceptions towards the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the region and the ICTY's judicial achievements in the Hague. Negative attitudes persist despite the successes of the ICTY, which include bringing many accused to justice, establishing a permanent International Criminal Court and demonstrating that incumbent leaders can be held accountable. The author argues that in order for the Tribunal's legacy to have lasting impact, extensive efforts must be made to leverage the record of judicial success so as to ensure that its work is not 'lost in translation'.

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