The Balkans remain a region marked by a painful history of wars, conflicts, and ethnic divisions. In this conversation, we explored the psychological and social consequences of these events, and how societies can or should engage with their past to build a peaceful future. We discussed transitional justice, the importance of remembrance versus intentional forgetting, the role of forgiveness, and the challenges of interethnic dialogue. Questions were raised about how communities can heal, how individuals confront trauma, and whether reconciliation efforts—both local and international—can foster trust and collective identity after conflict.
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Transitional justice and the Hague cases
In the second episode of the “Balkan Perspective” podcast, we discuss the role of international courts in restoring peace in the Balkans after the conflicts of the 1990s. What impact have these institutions had in addressing war crimes and building trust among citizens? Are these courts perceived as a mechanism of justice by the affected communities?
Special attention is given to North Macedonia, analyzing the level of peace and inter-ethnic relations following the 2001 conflict. Our guest is Imer Selmani, a prominent political figure who has held significant positions throughout his career and has been a witness to key developments in the country.
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Amnesties and Transitional Justice in North Macedonia – Reconciliation or Evasion?
In this episode, we dive into a topic with deep historical and political weight — the Law on Amnesty and its impact on transitional justice processes in North Macedonia. We explore how amnesty has been used in the past, what it aims to achieve, and whether it truly contributes to social reconciliation — or simply covers up injustices.
Is amnesty a step toward justice — or a detour away from it?
A conversation that challenges official narratives and sheds light on the role of the state, victims, and justice in a society striving to heal past wounds without forgetting them.
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THE TESTIMONIES OF THE VICTIMS ARE AN IMPORTANT BASE FOR BUILDING BRIDGES AFTER 2001
In this episode of Transitional justice we open the topic of memorization and commemoration after the armed conflict. We invited Naum Trajanovski – a PhD from the University in Poland and a sociology researcher who was previously researching these topics. We talked about the importance of the memorization and commemoration after the conflict in Macedonia in 2001.
