The Promises and Challenges of Hybrid Tribunals: Taking the Example of the Special Court for Sierra Leone

Abstract

This paper addresses the question of whether hybrid tribunals are generally more effective than the ad hoc tribunals, their respective advantages and disadvantages as well as the role of criminal tribunals with respect to the process of reconciliation, stabilisation and democratisation in a fragile society. It hereby focuses on the Special Court for Sierra Leone which is put into context with the other tribunals. At first, the paper provides some background information about the ICTY and the ICTR and outlines their difficulties. Subsequently the conflict and the creation and structure of the Special Court of Sierra Leone are examined. Finally, the paper addresses the question of the relationship of the ICC and the Special Court as well as to what extent the courts legacy efforts have been successful.