TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN POST REVOLUTION EGYPT, A REALITY OR AN ILLUSION

With the toppling of Hosni Mubarak?s, ex-president of Egypt, and his regime on the 11th of February 2011, the Egyptian people hoped that the absent justice would show up and redress victims of atrocities for the harms suffered. Egyptians hoped that the inspired political transition would be accompanied by a transition toward rule of law, accountability or social reconciliation. Unfortunately, the first two years after the 25th of January revolution didn?t only let them down but increased their frustrations and sufferings as well. This paper poses a direct question; does Egypt really witness a real transition towards democracy and rule of law? The first part of this paper will give an introduction about different definitions and processes of transitional justice. The second part explains the nature of the post revolution transition in Egypt. The third part sheds some light on the evidences which justify the nature of transition. The fourth part identifies some of the challenges which preclude realization of transitional justice in post revolution Egypt. Finally, the fifth part concludes with recommendations to push forward the process of transitional justice.