| Restorative justice: selective readings
The following six documents, selected to give a broad introduction to the issue of restorative justice, have been published in this booklet, available from the WCC International Affairs, Peace & Human Security team.
Restorative justice and a better future. John Braithwaite, a well-known Australian author in this field, introduces restorative justice from his perspective. For him, restorative justice "means restoring victims, a more victim-centered criminal justice system, as well as restoring offenders and restoring community".
Restorative justice practice. The state of the field 1999. Paul McCold (USA) develops different models of restorative justice implemented up to now. He explains different experiences using mediation, conferencing and circle models.
Democracy, community and problem-solving. Braithwaite shows the links between restorative justice and democratic processes and values.
In search of lost crime. Tzvetan Todorov (Bulgaria/France) comments on different books on war tribunals, truth commissions and justice, that "the commissions of inquiry... serve neither justice nor truth nor reconciliation", but also that "for societies in transition... commissions of inquiry would be preferable to tribunals national or international" because of the symbolic dimensions of violence, community, restoration and justice.
Basic principles on the use of restorative justice programmes in criminal matters. How restorative justice has been understood at the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Fundamental concepts of restorative justice. Howard Zehr, from the Eastern Mennonite University, one of the most important authors on restorative justice, and Harry Miko, summarize what they see as the basics. |
