Legalized Identities

Reviews / Votes

'Bold, imaginative and presented with the author's usual flair and writing skill, this work takes the topic on addressing difficult pasts in transition beyond the strictures of traditional legal mechanisms of transitional justice (TJ) and provides a nuanced and engaging analysis of expansive and creative uses of heritage law as a conduit for the fulfilment of TJ goals. Aside from the intellectual rigor and the clear flow of the arguments, the interdisciplinary approach is the book's strongest suit and it has certainly allowed for a creative and original engagement with the topic. Given the ever-expanding scope and, at the same time, increased specialization of broadly comprehended heritage studies, it is rare for a legal scholar to engage across these specialized fields with such depth and dedication.' Berenika Drazewska, International Law Agendas Brazil Symposium 'In summary, the book Legalized Identities: Cultural Heritage Law and the Shaping of Transitional Justice by Professor Lucas Lixinski addresses fundamental questions related to the role of cultural heritage in transitional justice. By analyzing several case studies, the book highlights the challenges and advantages of instrumentalizing cultural heritage in the process of building a peaceful society after a conflict. Moreover, it proposes a new manner to think the use of memory and cultural heritage in this context. It is an important and comprehensive piece of legal literature on the subject.' Alice Lopes Fabris, International Law Agendas Brazil Symposium 'Legalized Identities is a creative and though-provoking piece of work. Its arguments allow us to reflect not only on legal norms and practices that shape memory and culture in transitional contexts, but also on the political projects involved in these fields.' Joao Roriz, International Law Agendas Brazil Symposium 'This book is well written and is a fairly unique addition to the extant scholarship on cultural heritage and transitional justice ... This text would be an invaluable addition to the collections of academic and law school libraries, particularly those offering courses in human rights, intellectual property, and traditional knowledge, as well as to any researchers or policy makers who focus on UNESCO, cultural heritage, and the cultural and social aspects of post-conflict transitioning societies.' Julie A. Lavigne, Canadian Law Library Review