A/HRC/12/18 page 2 Summary The present analytical study on human rights and transitional justice is submitted pursuant to resolution 9/10 of the Human Rights Council. The study first contains an overview of activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) field presences and human rights components of United Nations peacekeeping and political missions. OHCHR has actively supported transitional justice programmes in more than 20 countries around the world, offering human rights expertise during peace negotiations; assisting in the design and implementation of transitional justice processes and mechanisms, such as truth commissions and other fact-finding processes, prosecution initiatives, reparations programmes and institutional reform; and providing conceptual and policy support at headquarters. The study also includes an examination of lessons learned and best practices, an assessment of additional needs, as well as conclusions and recommendations. OHCHR continues to explore new areas of transitional justice, based on recent developments in international law and the needs of field presences, with a view to assisting post-conflict States. The study discusses the relationship between justice and peace, including human rights and transitional justice aspects of peace agreements. The study also explores the potential for more systematic inclusion of economic, social and cultural rights in transitional justice mechanisms and processes. Furthermore, the study considers the linkages between disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and transitional justice processes. Finally, the study outlines additional areas for future exploration. Further understanding of the human rights aspects of vetting processes, witness and victim protection during truth-seeking processes and prosecution initiatives, and the relationship between traditional justice and transitional justice mechanisms is needed to ensure that transitional justice programmes work effectively to achieve justice, peace and reconciliation in post-conflict States.