Abstract
Though transitional justice measures are increasingly used to address displacement, particularly restitution programmes and truth-telling initiatives, the issue of addressing the long-term impact of displacement on individuals, communities and wider society represents significant challenges for peacebuilding processes. Based on in-depth interviews with those who suffered displacement in Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’, this article seeks to explore the marginalized and often silenced narratives of those displaced, shedding light on the multi-layered short- and long-term harms and consequences of displacement for individuals, families and community relations. The article’s argument is twofold: first, that experiences of displacement should be considered as a form of conflict-related harm and trauma and those displaced recognized as victims. And second, that ‘storytelling’ and other bottom-up acknowledgement projects are seen by victims and survivors as an effective vehicle to ‘break’ the silence, end the denial and advance their pursuit of recognition and acknowledgement.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 108-127 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | International Journal of Transitional Justice |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 11 Apr 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 31 Jul 2021 |
Bibliographical note
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Keywords
- Displacement
- Northern Ireland
- legacy
- the Troubles
- transitional justice