Transitional justice and reconciliation

I recently attended the Doha Forum in Qatar, where leaders, mediators, and peace practitioners from around the world gathered to confront a sobering reality: the crises that nations face today are far more complex, layered and interconnected.

- SECRETARY CARLITO G. GALVEZ, JR.

I joined Supreme Court Associate Justice Japar Babay Dimaampao, Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer, and Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Mardomel Celo D. Melicor at the peace forum. The core message that resonated among the delegates was that governance, mediation, and diplomacy must effectively adapt to emerging realities to successfully ride the massive wave of change sweeping across the globe.

A recurring message across the panels was that sustainable peace requires more than just ceasefires or political settlements; it demands that we address deep-seated grievances. Justice must be integral to the solution—a sentiment captured perfectly by the Doha Forum’s theme, "Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress.

Moreover, mediation must go beyond the silencing of the guns of war. It must instead be anchored on the history, identity and dignity of the victims of conflict. In essence, peace must be built on truth.

As I listened to these conversations in Doha, I could not help but reflect on our own peace journey in the Philippines, particularly in the Bangsamoro. What the international community is calling for is exactly what we have been striving to do here at home for decades.

Last Dec. 9 marked another major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process with the launching of the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation (TJR) Roadmap by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Camp Darapanan.

The event was a powerful affirmation that we have chosen to use mediation, justice, and moral courage in building lasting peace. It demonstrated that long-lasting peace cannot be achieved through peace accords or institutions alone.