International Elites or Local Activism: Assessing the International Network Behind the Belgian Truth and Reconciliation Commission

This paper investigates the international network underpinning the Belgian Parliamentary Special Commission on Colonial Past, analyzing the involvement of transnational actors and international organisations during its establishment, implementation, and functioning. Drawing on global governance and transnational justice theories, it examines how international institutions and victim groups shape national transitional justice mechanisms. These mechanisms, often embedded in broader global contexts, are influenced by trans- and supranational dynamics that extend beyond national borders, including the interplay of international institutions, norms and local demands for justice. The central argument posits that international and transnational actors play critical roles at multiple stages of transitional justice mechanisms, from design to operationalization and performance. Specifically, the paper argues that UN frameworks and advocacy by transnational groups were instrumental in legitimizing the Commission, shaping its mandate, and maintaining its functioning. These actors bridged local and global dimensions of justice, demanding the Commission's alignment with international norms while addressing specific historical grievances tied to Belgium’s colonial past. Empirically, the paper examines archival records, interviews, and secondary sources to trace the involvement of key actors such as the United Nations, international NGOs, and Congolese diaspora groups. It also explores the dynamics of stakeholder engagement, assessing how these networks mediated between global expectations and domestic constraints. The case of the Belgian Commission shows that national transitional justice initiatives are embedded in a broader ecosystem of international influence. It highlights the crucial role of inter- and transnational actors in enabling institutional legitimacy, fostering victim participation, and facilitating cross-border accountability for redressing historic violence in national context.