Neil J. Kritz

Neil J. Kritz is the USIP's "first Senior Scholar in Residence in the Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution, where he is focusing primarily on analyzing and advising on efforts to strengthen the Palestnian Justice system.

"Previously, Kritz directed USIP’s Rule of Law Center of Innovation, which focuses on advancing peace through the development of democratic legal and governmental systems. Kritz conducts ongoing research, writing and consultation on the question of how societies deal with a legacy of past abuses. He has provided advice and organized conferences on questions of war crimes and mass abuses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and South Africa.

"From 1990 to 1991, at the request of the Russian Constitutional Commission, Kritz coordinated two expert reviews of the draft Russian constitution. He led Institute working groups on humanitarian law, constitution-making and the administration of justice during peacekeeping operations. Since 1999, he has directed a project on Palestinian-Israeli legal dialogue and cooperation. At the request of the U.S. Department of Defense, Kritz prepared a curriculum on international law and the promotion of democracy for use in training U.S. and foreign military officials. He has studied and written on the advancement of the rule of law through regional organizations such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

"Before coming to the Institute, Kritz served as special assistant to the chairman at the Administrative Conference of the United States. He holds a J.D. from American University’s Washington College of Law."


 * International Advisory Board, International Journal of Transitional Justice