Human rights, colonialism and post-colonial conflict resolution: historical justice litigation

The authors examine the potential of human rights litigation in the context of post-colonial conflict resolution, transitional justice and historical justice litigation. They describe the rationale and means of human rights protection found in the international legal system and outline the ways and means that have been applied to hold accountable those responsible for gross human rights abuses and violations. Measures have included seeking the criminal prosecution of the individual human rights perpetrator, as well as seeking civil damages against individual actors.