VDM Fromme Joan: Human Rights and Restorative Justice

Currently, restorative justice is not used in the resolution of human rights cases. This work explores how human rights cases can be redressed through the use of restorative justice and identifies the commonalities, differences and obstacles in the use of restorative justice compared to the processes traditionally used. The study explores the circumstances in which restorative justice would be inappropriate, and considers how restorative justice processes might be used in systemic discrimination cases. The recommendations outline next steps in terms of future research required in this area. A human-rights restorative justice model could serve to increase the participants satisfaction in the resolution of human rights cases, and provide a mechanism for education and law reform. This study will be of interest to human rights professionals and activists, as well as to advocates and the legal profession.