The international work of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung aims at, inter alia, promoting the establishment and consolidation of democratic states based on the rule of law. This holds in particular true for the foundation’s work in countries which transform from authoritarian/totalitarian regimes to pluralistic democracies, and/or which are challenged with post-conflict reconstruction. The countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE), in particular the successor countries of former Yugoslavia, are among such countries of transition. For their endeavour to establish and consolidate a democratic state based on the rule of law two factors are key: Firstly, the countries of transition need to face their past since there is no sustainable consolidation of democracy without a true confrontation with the past. And secondly, highly motivated and talented young people need to be supported since they are the ones who will shape their countries’ future.

The International Summer School Sarajevo (ISSS) targets at both. It is for this reason that the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung – through its regional Rule of Law Program South East Europe – supported the ISSS from its very beginning in 2006: The Summer School is not only the product of a small group of outstanding former students of law from one of the most conflict-ridden countries in South Eastern Europe, i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina; it also brings together highly qualified young scholars from the SEE region, other parts of Europe, and the US with experienced professionals to receive first hand insight into crucial aspects of human rights and transitional justice through a unique blend of theory, practice and experience. This happens with the aim to empower future decision makers to work to establish the rule of law in transitional countries, and to influence changes in transitional countries towards sustainable rule-of-law governance.

The articles published in this book reflect both, the seriousness with which the students participated in the Summer School, and the high quality of their work. The authors not only analyze the difficult challenges countries in transition face when dealing with their past, but also offer solutions for transitional justice. I would like to congratulate the editors and authors of this valuable collection of essays. I wish the publication a great success: May it not only be used as a source of inspiration for students, academics, practitioners in the field of rule of law, transitional justice, and human rights alike, as well as for politicians and other opinion-makers, but also contribute to the further strengthening of peace and democratic stability in the countries of South Eastern Europe. It is my hope that the countries of the region, after a decade of post-war reconstruction and two decades of post-communist/-socialist system transformation finally come to terms with their (recent) past. The ISSS with its publication can partly contribute to this.

Authors:

• Amina Alijagic
• Ana Ljubojevic
• Azra Somun
• Cristian Gherasim
• Cristina Nowak
• Elena Atzen
• Francesca Capone
• Ian Bausback
• Marjolein Schaap
• Milos Bogicevic
• Nicola Sibona
• Noemie Turgis
• Stela Nenova
• Theresa Fernandez Paredes
• Vera Riffler