ARIJ organized two online webinars, “An Introduction to Transitional Justice” and “An Introduction to International Criminal Justice” in collaboration with Fondation Hirondelle and Justice Info. Each session brought together over 80 journalists via Zoom and was led by trainer Thierry Cruvellier, Editor-in-Chief of Justice Info. Cruvellier brings more than 20 years of experience covering trials for crimes against humanity and genocide in Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, and Senegal. The sessions were moderated by Nadine El-Sayfi, ARIJ’s Social Media Lead.
The first webinar, held on April 6, featured an interactive session in which Cruvellier introduced the concept of transitional justice and its significance in covering serious human rights violations, especially in contexts shifting from war to peace or from dictatorship to democracy, such as Syria. He outlined five core mechanisms of transitional justice: criminal justice, truth-seeking, reparations, vetting, memorialization, and reconciliation. He also shared three key principles for journalists working on these issues: accuracy in presenting perspectives, balanced and objective reporting, and clarity in simplifying legal terms for a broader audience.
The second webinar, held on May 6, focused on the key distinctions between genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, along with an overview of major international and hybrid courts established over the past decades. Cruvellier discussed how comparative analysis can help journalists provide more accurate legal framing to their audiences. He also stressed the importance of holding military leadership accountable when crimes are committed under their command and go unpunished. He presented examples from both international and national courts, such as the International Criminal Court and special tribunals, highlighting the journalist’s role in understanding and interpreting these legal frameworks in their coverage.
These webinars are part of ARIJ’s ongoing efforts to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report on issues of justice, accountability, and international crimes, particularly relevant in light of the ongoing conflicts and widespread violations across several Arab countries. In February, ARIJ launched a call for investigative pitches focused on transitional justice in Syria.
Participants showed strong engagement and appreciation for the sessions, praising the diversity of perspectives presented. Some of the notable feedback included:
“I gained valuable insights from the webinar that can be directly applied to investigative reporting on crimes against humanity and genocide in conflict zones like Sudan.” — Hanaa Khairi, Sudan
“The timing of the session was perfect given the escalation of conflicts. The content was rich and well-delivered. I hope similar sessions are held in the near future.” — Mohamed Giri, Egypt
“It was an excellent webinar that emphasized the need for objectivity and neutrality when reporting on such issues, something we desperately need as journalists in these contexts.” — Rasha Hamza, Egypt
“The content was beneficial, especially given the current global context. It will help me better understand and communicate key legal definitions when writing articles and reports.” — Diana El-Zein, Lebanon
