Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Jus Post Bellum

Abstract

In this chapter I want to argue that:

• [i] A necessary feature of any just peace, particularly in post-civil war situations, is that it is a durable one.

• [ii] A particularly significant factor contributing to the durability of a peace settlement is that key publics, communities and opinion leaders believe that the peace is sufficiently ‘just’ as to merit their commitment.

• [iii] A necessary element in facilitating the belief that a peace is ‘just enough’ is that the socio-cultural scars left by the war are addressed in a manner such that the pains of the past cease to dominate the present and open up the possibility of future co-existence between former enemies.

• [iv] The manner in which such ‘memory’ or ‘forgiveness work’ is carried out will vary from case to case, depending on a number of significant factors, including the balance of power during the post-peace settlement period.