Memory, Forgiveness and Unfinished Justice in the Former Yugoslavia. Issue 4 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akrivoulis, Dimitrios E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern studies. Volume 19:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 366
• Page End: 387
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Balkan Peninsula -- Periodicals; Balkan Peninsula -- Statistics -- Periodicals; Middle East -- Periodicals; 949.6
• DOI: 10.1080/19448953.2017.1280978
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1944-8953

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing its examples from the case of the former Yugoslavia, the paper explores the difficult intersections of justice, memory and forgiveness where the present bears the traces of a violent past of inter-communal conflict and mass crimes. It specifically delves into the limits of institutional attempts to respond in a redemptory and permanent manner to the claims for justice in a political community scarred by such a tormenting past. It examines three judicial or semi-judicial manifestations of memory based on how they relate to the past(s) of the former Yugoslavia: (a) the punishment of the perpetrators, (b) the recognition of the crimes committed, and (c) forgetfulness in the name of peace and progress. Promoting reconciliation, governments often qualify a plea for forgiving as the last recourse to the impasse of institutional justice. At this fragile moment, forgiveness presents itself as a remedy for the impossibilities of institutional justice, without however fully evading the dangers of political expedience or the Western metaphysics of a 'universal' (Christian) ethos. Discussing memory as a dimension of justice, the paper concludes that if this intricate bond remains unexamined, the possibility of forgiveness in the former Yugoslavia could hardly attain any political meaning or vigour.