Restorative Justice in Transitional Settings

"This collection of provocative essays is the first attempt to expand the boundaries of restorative justice by tackling the myths that surround its definition and capabilities and by imaginatively addressing how its tenets can make transitional justice practice more relevant to those affected by direct and structural violence. By moving beyond the "toolkit" of supposed restorative practices in transitional justice, these essays challenge the reader to reconceptualize the meanings of justice away from the perpetrator-victim dichotomy towards a transformational vision of societal change."

Professor Harvey Weinstein, Senior Research Fellow, Human Rights Center; Clinical Professor (Ret.), School of Public Health; Co-Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, International Journal of Transitional Justice, Berkeley, USA

"This volume is simultaneously critical and inspirational. The authors reflect honestly on the deep structural challenges and the intense personal dimensions of addressing mass human rights violations while exploring options for navigating this complex terrain. The authors provide carefully considered and innovative suggestions for how restorative responses can be more effectively integrated into transitional justice approaches. These ideas present a timely challenge and stimulus for transitional justice scholars, practitioners and policy makers.

The key argument of this volume, that restorative justice can be used as a mechanism or lens through which local actors can claim a more significant stake in dealing with the past while building their future, is an important reminder of the transformative potential inherent in transitional contexts. This volume points to how this potential can be promoted through critical and creative scholarship."

Dr Hugo van der Merwe, Head of Research, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, South Africa

"Restorative Justice in Transitional Settings demonstrates how much needed and how fruitful it is to broadening, to deepening and to lengthening the concept of restorative justice. Through critical analysis of existing practices and opening-up of new perspectives, a well-selected group of international scholars explores the plural character of justice from different angles. This edited collection highly contributes to both our understanding and designing of innovative restorative justice approaches in a variety of societal and cultural contexts."

Prof. Dr. Ivo Aertsen, Director KU Leuven Institute of Criminology (LINC), Belgium

"Many academics and activists have been ‘pushing the envelope’ for a number of years in terms of the promise of restorative justice in transitional settings. Kerry Clamp has put together a collection of some of the most important voices in the field and the results are impressive. What is needed is precisely such a cold eyed, pragmatic yet ambitious assessment of the possibilities and pitfalls of restorative justice in such contexts. This book is a ‘must read’ for anyone interested in the topic. Clamp and her contributors are to be warmly congratulated for putting it together."

Kieran McEvoy, Professor of Law and Transitional Justice, Queens University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

"A compilation of very good theoretical and empirical studies by leading scholars on a subject that is academically underdeveloped but of growing practical importance. You can agree or disagree with the conclusions of the authors but this book is a must read for all interested in the crucial subject on what is the best way for emerging democracies to deal with past atrocities."

Rodrigo Uprimny, Professor of Law, National University of Colombia and Executive Director of the Center of Studies Dejusticia.