Introduction

Source: (2006) In Pablo De Greiff, ed., The Handbook of Reparations. Oxford, New York, USA: Oxford University Press. Pp. 1-18.

“This book is intended to provide a broad range of essential information about past experiences with massive reparations programs as well as normative guidance for future practice. That a project such as this one is still necessary is surprising, as a good number of the countries that have emerged from conflict or that have undergone transitions to democracy have at least given some consideration to programs of reparations that seek to make up, in some way, for the harms endured by some members or sectors of society, and more than a few of the countries in transition have actually implemented such programs. A great deal of attention has been paid to what postconflict or transtional countries have attempted to do by way of prosecuting human rights violators, but much less attention has been paid to these countries’ efforts by way of reparations for the victims. Clearly, both kinds of efforts, the prosecutorial and the reparative, can be considered elements of justice, but the latter has not received sufficient systematic attention.” (excerpt)