The Politics of Memory Laws

In an impressive collective effort, the authors show how legislative battles over versions of historical truth and pseudo-historical mythology are translating into today's large-scale human tragedy and shaking the foundations of international order. When are "memory laws" part of the problem of abuse and manipulation of history and how can they become part of the solution? This insightful volume will provide invaluable and much-needed food for thought. * Mykola Gnyatkovkyy, Judge at the European Court of Human Rights Elected on Behalf of Ukraine *
Rewriting history, instrumentalising historical memory – these are now among the most important tools of Putinism, used to justify the war against Ukraine and, as Putin's propagandists never tire of repeating, the West as a whole. The dangers and the repressive practice of enforcing laws based on “alternative history” are still not sufficiently known in the West. Describing and analysing them in the current political context, as this book does very convincingly, is of great importance. * Irina Scherbakowa, co-founder of Memorial *

A timely, vital and wholly original and compelling set of essays - a collected work that underscores the role of law and legal institutions in managing and manipulating our engagement with history, memory and identity, and reminds that the ownership of truth will never be less than deeply contested.

* Philippe Sands, International lawyer and author of “East West Street” *