DISACT researcher Elpida Vasileiou presented ongoing research at the International Association for Reconciliation Studies (IARS) Annual Conference 2026, hosted by the University of Nicosia from 19–22 June 2026. The conference brought together scholars and practitioners from around the world to discuss contemporary challenges in reconciliation, transitional justice, peacebuilding, and conflict transformation.
As part of the panel Justice, Truth, and the Politics of Accountability: Transitional Justice in Practice, Elpida presented the paper “Justice on Hold: Explaining the Reluctance of Victims to Seek Accountability,” co-authored with Professor Iosif Kovras (University of Cyprus) and Dr. Nikandros Ioannidis (Cyprus University of Technology).
The paper examines an important puzzle in transitional justice: why do victims sometimes choose not to pursue criminal accountability, even when legal avenues and evidence are available? Drawing on 176 interviews with relatives of missing persons in Cyprus, the research argues that what is often perceived as inaction may instead reflect a strategic decision. Families frequently prioritise humanitarian objectives, such as supporting the recovery and identification of missing persons, while also weighing the emotional, financial, and political costs associated with pursuing justice.
By shifting attention from institutions to victims’ own decision-making, the paper contributes to broader debates on victim agency, accountability, and the complex trade-offs that shape post-conflict justice processes. Rather than viewing the absence of legal mobilisation as passivity, the research highlights how victims actively navigate competing priorities in contexts marked by prolonged conflict and uncertainty.
Participation in the conference provided an excellent opportunity to present ongoing research, engage with leading scholars in reconciliation and transitional justice, and receive valuable feedback that will contribute to the further development of this work.