Chandra Lekha Sriram Closed Now

Chandra Lekha Sriram (1971–2019) was an influential and highly respected scholar in the fields of transitional justice, human rights, international criminal law, peacebuilding, and conflict prevention. She served as Professor of International Law and International Relations at the University of East London (UEL) and previously held posts at the University of Maryland, the International Peace Academy, and other major institutions.

Sriram’s work bridged rigorous academic analysis with deep engagement in conflict-affected societies across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She was widely known for her research on how states and international institutions respond to mass atrocities, the politics behind transitional justice, and the tensions between peace negotiations and accountability. Her scholarship consistently emphasized the complex realities faced by societies grappling with legacies of violence, challenging overly idealistic or one-size-fits-all models of justice.

Her major publications—such as Globalizing Justice, Peace as Governance, and Transitional Justice in the Twenty-First Century—have become foundational texts in the field. Sriram uniquely examined how transitional justice is shaped not just by legal norms but also by power, politics, and the strategic decisions of both domestic actors and international bodies.

Beyond academia, she contributed to policy and practice through collaborations with the UN, NGOs, and human rights organizations. Her work offered critical insights into peace negotiations, the International Criminal Court, hybrid tribunals, and local justice mechanisms. She frequently analyzed the dilemmas between peace and justice, a central debate in transitional justice, arguing that effective approaches require an understanding of local dynamics and political constraints.

Sriram also founded and directed the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict (CHRC) at UEL, leading major research projects on conflict prevention, international justice, and the protection of civilians. Her commitment to mentoring young scholars and practitioners left a lasting legacy within the global human rights community.