More than Words: Restorative Justice Concepts in Transitional Justice Settings

Abstract

This article considers the applicability of restorative justice literature in the transitional justice arena. The authors argue that while restorative justice is applied to a wide range of conflicts, the established literature is often of limited value within a transitional context. Insufficient attention is often paid to the inherent difficulties in importing theories, concepts and practices designed for the context of ‘settled’ societies into post-conflict environments. Significantly more consideration needs to be given to the practical operation of transitional justice mechanisms, as well as their underlying normative bases, so that they might live up to the claims of many commentators that transitional justice is ‘restorative’.

Long-Term Effectiveness of a Brief Restorative Justice Intervention

“…Although the traditional method of incarceration intends to deter offending and subsequent reoffending, recidivism rates have remained high for several decades and a comprehensive solution has yet to be identified and implemented (Beck & Shipley, 1989; Durose et al, 2014; Lagan & Levin, 2002). To counter rising recidivism rates, researchers have examined what are known as Restorative Justice Interventions (RJIs) as both a supplement to and, in some cases, a replacement of the traditional method of incarceration (Bonta, Wallace-Capretta, Rooney, & McAnoy, 2002; Clamp & Doak, 2012; Dhami, Mantle, & Fox, 2009; Toews, 2013; Tsui, 2014).…”

Encuadres mediáticos del Perdón y Reconciliación en el contexto del conflicto armado colombiano

“…En contextos de construcción de paz alrededor del mundo, el perdón y la reconciliación componen procesos que las sociedades afrontan como parte de las transiciones hacia la instauración de prácticas pacíficas (Binningsbø, Loyle, Gates, & Elster, 2012). Ambos procesos suelen ocupar un lugar central en la constitución de sistemas de justicia transicional, y son generalmente establecidos como parte de la búsqueda de una paz con mayor probabilidad de sostenibilidad en el tiempo (Clamp & Doak, 2012). No obstante, los conceptos de perdón y de reconciliación suelen confundirse como sinónimos, tanto en el discurso político, como en el académico (Enright et al, 2016;Nadler & Shnabel, 2015;Rettberg & Ugarriza, 2016;Staub, 2006).…”

Enriching trial justice for crime victims in common law systems

“…However, as noted in the previous section, empirical insights into the practical operation of truth commissions all too often reveal that victims are left dissatisfied (Byrne, 2004; Hamber et al, 2000; Kaminer et al, 2001). Indeed, opportunities for actual interaction between the parties are often limited or non-existent (Clamp and Doak, 2012; Doak, 2011). While some of these problems may be attributable to matters of praxis, such as weak infrastructure, inadequate planning and insufficient resourcing, arguably there is also a normative barrier for victims too, insofar as truth commissions are concerned first and foremost with ending conflict and building peace (Clamp and Doak, 2012).…”

“…Indeed, opportunities for actual interaction between the parties are often limited or non-existent (Clamp and Doak, 2012; Doak, 2011). While some of these problems may be attributable to matters of praxis, such as weak infrastructure, inadequate planning and insufficient resourcing, arguably there is also a normative barrier for victims too, insofar as truth commissions are concerned first and foremost with ending conflict and building peace (Clamp and Doak, 2012). In most truth commissions, therefore, the role of victims tends to be purely instrumental.…”