Between justice and reconciliation: The survivors of Rwanda

The meaning of reconciliation and development in post-genocide Rwanda.

“…Ervin Staub (2006) emphasizes that reconciliation represents a common future between perpetrators and victims or members of hostile groups not as a "continuation of the past" but as the "possibility of a constructive relationship" seeking humanity and acceptance (p. 868). Anne Kubai (2007) explains that the entity of reconciliation:…”

“…Restorative justice stems from more traditional approaches to conflict resolution (Huyse, 2003;Kubai, 2007), and is a more victim-centric approach to justice, often involving their full participation during the process (Huyse, 2003, p. 111). In defining the roles of both retributive and restorative justice in a post-conflict society, Kubai (2007) contends that:…”

“…For many situations, the most vital role of justice is that it can work to end a long-standing culture of impunity (Kubai, 2007;Ngoga, 2009). The legal detention of accused criminals can also help to calm certain situations by preventing private revenge by victims, detaining dangerous individuals or by "fulfilling an obligation to the victims" (Huyse, 2003, p. 98).…”

“…In the vast majority of the post-conflict reconciliation literature, recuperating a relationshipmutual understanding and acknowledgement, and sharing common goals for the future-are commonly captured phrases (Fletcher & Weinstein, 2002;Hamber & Kelly, 2009;Kubai, 2007;Lederach, 1997;Staub, 2006;Staub, Pearlman, Gubin, & Hagengimana, 2005). Ervin Staub (2006) emphasizes that reconciliation represents a common future between perpetrators and victims or members of hostile groups not as a "continuation of the past" but as the "possibility of a constructive relationship" seeking humanity and acceptance (p. 868).…”

“…The NURC was launched in 1999 as a specialized governmental organization to facilitate national unity and reconciliation; its existence having been stipulated in the Constitution, Article 178 under Title III Special Commissions and Organs [sic], (GoR, 2003;IJR, 2005;Kubai, 2007;Zorbas, 2004). The NURC is mandated to do research for plausible approaches that might accelerate reconciliation and peace, coordinate demobilization and reintegration programs in order to educate the general population and to prevent "any kind of discrimination, intolerance or xenophobia" (GoR, 2003, p. 48).…”