Restorative Justice in Post-Genocide Rwanda

What remains of a genocide after thirty years? The originality of this book lies in combining profoundly human experiences and sentiments with a rigorous analysis of the justice mechanisms that were implemented to deal with the consequences of the genocide. It complements current debates in memory studies about the impact of legal procedures on the transmission of memories across generations. The book further stands out for offering new data on the understudied phenomenon of Christian gacaca – the church-led alternative to the well-known state-implemented tribunals that judged most genocide perpetrators. It will interest readers eager to learn about the interaction of state and church in Rwanda, and more broadly scholars seeking to understand how non-state normative orders relate to and sometimes compete with the strong state regime in Rwanda. Moreover, the book comparatively draws on other illustrations of transitional settings such as South Africa, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Colombia, and Northern Ireland. Addressing calls for studies on the intersection of restorative and transitional justice, the book outlines features that can direct further reflection among scholars in both fields. It will be of interest to academics, researchers and policymakers working in the areas of Restorative Justice, Transitional Justice, International Criminal Law, Genocide Studies, Law and Anthropology, Law and Religion and Memory Studies.