Restorative Justice: An Approach for All Countries- An Introduction

Source: (2003) Social Policy Times. 3(2). Research Center on Societal and Social Policy. Downloaded 2 March 2004.

This special issue of Social Policy Times is written as fighting persists in Iraq, and millions have taken to marching for peace across the globe. This special issue is timely because the topic—restorative justice—is about healing and reconciliation, often between warring forces. It is a form of peacemaking that is as old as history.

This issue is timely also because last spring the United Nations Commission on Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention passed a resolution that put restorative justice on the international map. The resolution supports the establishment of restorative justice initiatives by the member states. The European Union previously had directed members to provide victim/offender mediation in criminal cases. (excerpt)