Rethinking Justice: How Social Media Shapes Transitional Justice and Identities in Times of Crisis?

The continuing geopolitical uncertainty, exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has revealed substantial human rights violations, underscoring the critical necessity for robust Transitional Justice mechanisms to rectify atrocities and restore a nation's social and political structure. This analysis rigorously investigates the intersection of transitional justice through the framework of ontological security and social media dynamics within the context of the war in Ukraine. Crucially, it delves into how the nation's pursuit of a stable identity and ontological security, particularly during times of crisis, influences both domestic and international efforts to confront war crimes and rebuild trust by promoting digital messages of Transitional Justice. Although international entities like the International Criminal Court (ICC) play a vital role in ensuring accountability for offenders, truth-telling, and a viable route to enduring democratic stability, it seems that the advent of Russian expansionism casts doubts about the traditional perception of the nature of transitional justice. This analysis indicates two apparent scenarios: first, the persistence of Putin's administration, and second, a postwar Russia undergoing democratization. Consequently, this illustrates the influence of ontological security on transitional justice initiatives and foreign policy, suggesting that social media, often overlooked, plays a crucial role in shaping transitional justice endeavors, addressing identity concerns, and enhancing public comprehension. Simultaneously, social media's capacity to record criminal activities, elevate victim stories, and involve international audiences renders it a potent instrument for redefining national identity and fostering reconciliation. Ultimately, Ukraine's deliberate employment of social media in its Transitional Justice initiatives can reshape its international identity, providing significant insights for other post-conflict countries pursuing justice and peace. However, we must recognize the numerous hazards that may arise and affect the focal function of transitional justice while promoting it at the digital level. These perils include the "deep-fake" phenomenon, which is a subset of AI's emergence, and the spread of misinformation stemming from Russian authoritarianism.