Zachary D. Kaufman

Zachary D. Kaufman, J.D., Ph.D., is a law professor and political scientist. His scholarly work (writing, teaching, and speaking) focuses on a range of issues in these two fields.

Professor Kaufman is the author or editor of three books: United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics (Oxford University Press, 2016); Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012); and After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda and Beyond (Oxford University Press, 2009). He is also the author of more than 45 articles and book chapters.

Professor Kaufman received his J.D. from Yale Law School (where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law & Policy Review), his D.Phil. (Ph.D.) and M.Phil., both in International Relations, from the University of Oxford (where he was a Marshall Scholar), and his B.A. in Political Science from Yale University (where he was the student body president).

For Professor Kaufman’s expanded biography, please see here.

Writing

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics

“In this strikingly original and meticulously researched book, Dr. Zachary Kaufman argues that the United States has led in the creation of some crucial international criminal tribunals for prudential reasons. The book provides essential insights for all interested in preventing mass atrocity, most importantly that war crimes tribunals have been and can be a prudent policy option for the United States.”

Dr. Kathryn A. Sikkink,
Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights Policy, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World

“How can anyone make a difference in a world marked by genocide, civil war, refugee crises, disease epidemics? With conscience, hope, and sweat equity, Dr. Zachary Kaufman and the other contributors to this book have offered aid, created organizations serving victims of human rights violations, and learned from set-backs and failures. Their insight into challenges of sustainable fund-raising, organizational design and management, and skepticism about young Western volunteers can inspire and instruct others who hope to address suffering and injustice through initiative, analysis, and commitment.”

Martha Minow,
Dean, Harvard Law School

After Genocide

After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda and Beyond

“This book should be labelled ‘for the mature individual only.’ But for that mature individual it is of extreme interest. It shows, far from any Manichean stereotyping, the many facets of having to try to live in an impossibly complex social and human situation. Highly recommended.”

Gérard Prunier,
The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide

Upcoming Events

2025-01-31
Yale University

Lecture Title: “Bystanders and Upstanders amid Genocide” Host: Yale University Date: January 31, 2025

Declassified Documents

Through submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to various U.S. government...

Publications

2016
United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics...

Transitional Justice Media

Over the years, transitional justice and related human rights issues have featured in many films...

Publications

2012-08-31
Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World "How can anyone make a...

Publications

2009-03-23
After Genocide

After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda...

2012.10.07 – Silverback Gorilla Trek (Rwanda)

2012.10.05 – Kigali Public Library – Inauguration

2012.04.12 – Silverback Gorilla Trekking

2012-10-07
2012.10.07 – Silverback Gorilla Trek (Rwanda)

: “Sabyinyo” (derived from a Kinyarwanda word meaning “tooth”) – the name of both this (inactive) volcanic mountain and the group of gorillas I would trek to see. The summit of the mountain, which is at 3,634 meters / 11,959 feet, lies at the intersection of the borders of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.

: Another gorgeous mountain in the Virunga range.

: Sacola Traditional Dancers providing pre-trek entertainment

: A familial diagram my guide provided of the Sabyinyo Group. Twelve members of the group are pictured but there are now fourteen. The silverback in the middle, named Guhonda, is the oldest and largest silverback known to live in these mountains. He is 40 years old and weighs 250 kilograms / 550 pounds. As you can see from this schematic, he keeps the ladies of the Sabyinyo Group busy!

: The mountainside village from which I commenced my trek . . .

: . . . passing various crops along the way . . .

: . . . and more crops . . .

: . . . plus some pretty flowers . . .

: . . . until I reached the border to the mountain base.

: We took a couple of rest breaks.

: One last look at the fields before entering the jungle.

: The "bridge" crossing into the jungle.

: Is that a little earthworm?

: Nope. Humongous!

: Bamboo. Also known as “Gorilla Beer.” Apparently, the gorillas love this stuff and get “drunk” off it, causing them to stumble around, fall over, and generally act like college freshmen.

: Deep in the jungle.

: The gorillas are close now.

: Gorilla! The first one I found was hiding behind some bushes.

: Now I can see you better, buddy.

: Itchy or giving me the finger? Can’t tell. Maybe both?

: Chillin’, gorilla-style.

: How’s the bouquet on that gorilla beer? Do you detect some subtle notes of barley, perchance?

: That’s right. Eat/drink it up good, buddy. It’ll put hair on your chest. Oh, wait….

: Double fisting!

: Just trying to take a nice photo in the jungle and these two come along and photobomb me.

: You need to wipe your mouth just a bit. Where are your manners? Jeez, don’t be such an animal.

: I know! Let’s have some more gorilla beer!

: Papa doesn’t seem too happy that his kid is monkeying around while he’s trying to sleep.

: Not like that’s going to stop the little guy!

: Monkey business!

: More fun than a barrel of monkeys!

: Passed out from too much gorilla beer?

: Piggy-(gorilla-?)back ride!

: Sup?

: Monkey see, monkey do?

: Just so we’re clear, the gorilla is the one on the right.

: Monkey in the middle!

: Gorillas mating.

: Get a room! 🙂

: I guess in the absence of monkey bars, kids will climb bamboo.

: A visit to the gorilla-salon for a gorilla-grooming.

: What’s on your mind, big guy?

: Maybe: I’ll be (this) monkey’s uncle?

: Awww . . . are you sleepy?

: “What’re you looking at?”

: “Oh, man, Zach, you really embarrassed yourself with all the bad puns in this album!”

2012-10-05
2012.10.05 – Kigali Public Library – Inauguration

: The plaque commemorating the official inauguration of the Kigali Public Library.

: My father, Howard Herschel Kaufman, joined me for the official inauguration of the Kigali Public Library.

: My father, Howard Herschel Kaufman, and I were both extremely excited to participate in the official inauguration of the Kigali Public Library.

: But we weren't the only ones who were excited! Rwandan schoolchildren using the computers in the Kigali Public Library's children's section.

: Rwandan schoolchildren participating in a book discussion in the Kigali Public Library's children's section.

: You know. Just chillin' at the Kigali Public Library.

: My first math book!

: The Kigali Public Library has partnered with One Laptop Per Child / One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda. With me here are visionary OLPC leaders Sergio Romero (OLPC Vice President for Africa) and Bakuramutsa Nkubito (OLPC Coordinator for Rwanda).

: One Laptop Per Child / One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda corner of the Kigali Public Library.

: Amazing map of One Laptop Per Child / One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda programs!

: Awesome statistics of One Laptop Per Child / One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda programs!

: Rwandan schoolchildren using One Laptop Per Child / One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Rwanda laptops at a booth assembled for the Kigali Public Library inauguration.

: One of our Kigali Public Library staff members working at the front desk.

: My two books -- After Genocide (co-edited with Dr. Phil Clark) and Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities -- on display at the Kigali Public Library.

: And the latest book by Paul Williams, also on display in the Kigali Public Library.

: In addition, a recent, inspiring book by Consolee Nishimwe is also on display in the Kigali Public Library.

: Raising the Kigali Public Library roof! 🙂

: The Kigali Public Library inauguration begins with dancing performed by Rwanda's National Ballet!

: Now for some traditional Rwandan drumming!

: Speech time! Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga / Rckv Rwanda President Gitau Wamukui commences a trio of speeches from RCKV and American Friends of the Kigali Public Library / American Friends of the Kigali Public Library (AFKPL) speakers, including RCKV Founder Cally Alles and AFKPL Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors and RCKV Honorary Member Zachary Kaufman. Gitau thanks donors and guests.

: American Friends of the Kigali Public Library / American Friends of the Kigali Public Library Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga / Rckv Rwanda Honorary Member Zachary Kaufman speaks, emphasizing how important a public library is, particularly in a post-genocide society where media had been monopolized and manipulated to incite and execute atrocities

: Government of Rwanda's Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Portais Mitali speaks about the importance of the Kigali Public Library to Rwanda, especially in inspiring and educating its youth and preserving its culture.

: Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame speaks about the significance of the Kigali Public Library to the future of Rwanda, noting that children comprise about half of the country's population.

: Masterful Master of Ceremonies and Past President of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga / Rckv Rwanda Masterjerb Birungi Paul provides concluding remarks at the Kigali Public Library inauguration.

: Party time at the Kigali Public Library's Rooftop Cafe!

: Kigali Public Library Executive Director Janepher Turatsinze and American Friends of the Kigali Public Library / American Friends of the Kigali Public Library Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors Zachary Kaufman celebrating.

: Those of us remaining later into the night. We're not done celebrating!

: Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame, U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Don Koran, and other dignitaries hand out awards to Rwandan schoolchildren who distinguished themselves during Rwanda's annual "Reading Week."

2012-06-16
2012.06.16 – Kigali Public Library

: The main entrance to the Kigali Public Library.

: The main entrance, from the other side.

: See that entrance over there? Want to check it out?

: Warmer....

: Really warm now....

: Hot!!! Want to go inside for a tour? Come on in!

: Welcome! We're pleased to see you here!

: (The gentlemen second from your left has been a security guard on our site since the very beginning. While we were still fundraising and not yet building, he herded goats on the land.)

: The front entrance, from the inside.

: Welcome again! My colleagues and I are in front of the library's front desk in the main hall. From your left to right: Paul Masterjerb, who has worked on the Kigali Public Library from the very beginning. Next, Jolly Mazimhaka, President of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga when this picture was taken. Finally, all the way right is Janepher Turatsinze, the first Executive Director of the Kigali Public Library.

: Looking at the entrance hall from the third floor.

: Looking from the main floor towards the elevator, a central computer cluster to easily lookup library resources, and some of the periodicals.

: The elevator shaft and central computer cluster.

: Looking from the main floor towards part of the ceiling.

: The children's reading room. (Don't tell anyone, but this is my favorite room in the whole library.)

: Just a bunch of kids hanging out in the children's room.

: Story time!

: The children's computer cluster.

: Entrance to "The Kids Hall," where we'll host dedicated children's events.

: "The Kids Hall." Few adults have ever seen inside. But then we already knew you are special.

: The main computer center. This cluster of 35 terminals is the largest of several computer clusters throughout the library, which also has wireless Internet access.

: Comfy and spacious.

: Part of the non-fiction section.

: Another part of the non-fiction section.

: Yet another part of the non-fiction section: history and geography!

: The atrium, looking down from the main floor.

: Front door to the Executive Director's office.

: The main reading hall.

: The view out of the library's rear window from the main reading hall.

: Side staircase. Let's go checkout the rooftop cafe. All this touring around has made me thirsty!

: Door to rooftop.

: Is that a rooftop cafe over there? Why yes, I think it is!

: Part of the rooftop cafe. May I bring you a cold drink while you enjoy reading that book?

: Or would you just like to enjoy the view?

: Relax....

: Or maybe spend time with friends and colleagues?

: We're still working on outfitting the cafe. But can't you just taste all the yummy treats that will fill these displays?

: I think my friend Sam Dusengiyumva was a cafe manager in another life. Look how naturally he poses there.

: Rooftop view of the United States Embassy.

: OK, back inside. Going down 3 floors on the central staircase to the ground floor. Another reading hall.

: Central staircase, from the ground floor.

: Fiction section.

: More of the fiction section.

: Meeting rooms.

: Young adults' section.

: More of the young adults' section.

: Atrium, from the ground floor.

: The largest meeting room. It's a multi-purpose space that can be configured however you want.

: Huge, comfy couch!

: Indoor bridge connecting parts of the third floor. The reference section is in the distance

: The bridge.

: The front window.

: Staff lounge.

: Reference section.

: More of the reference section

: Benches outside the reference section.

: Our tour is, unfortunately, drawing to a close. Back outside. View of the United States Embassy across the street from the library's front entrance.