In a world where instant news coverage and social media bring global events into our daily lives, the impact of significant happenings reverberates beyond borders. Such was the case of George Floyd’s untimely and tragic death in May of last year. This event not only incited outrage in the United States but also caused an international uproar. People around the globe protested, advocating for an end to racial prejudice and systemic violence. Yet, understanding this incident as merely an individual’s murder or subsequent property crimes paints an incomplete picture. To address the root causes, a broader restorative lens becomes essential.
Two prominent voices in the field of human rights and restorative justice, Marta Sá Rebelo and Laura Hein, recently presented a profound exploration of this topic. Rebelo, with her rich experience stemming from her association with Católica Global School of Law in Portugal, and Hein, a scholar from KU Leuven in Belgium with extensive expertise in transitional justice, provided a comprehensive perspective on the George Floyd incident.
Their presentation began by acknowledging the immediate impact of Floyd’s death – the grief, the anger, and the series of sometimes violent protests that erupted. However, they emphasized that to merely recognize these surface-level responses would be an oversight. Instead, they delved deeper, urging viewers to consider the long-standing institutional and structural violence that has been inherent in many systems, particularly in the U.S. To truly seek resolution and prevent further such incidents, one must address these deep-seated issues.
Rebelo and Hein then introduced an intriguing concept – the possibility of integrating insights from transitional justice into restorative justice strategies. Transitional justice, typically associated with periods of political upheaval and serious human rights violations, offers frameworks for nations or communities to address past harms and ensure they don’t recur. Could such strategies, then, be applied to cases like George Floyd’s?
The idea was to not just react to the event itself but to understand the continuum of oppression and structural violence that led to it. By doing so, society can begin to create mechanisms of accountability, reconciliation, and, ultimately, healing. Traditional restorative justice, while invaluable, might not be expansive enough to encompass the breadth of change required in such scenarios.
Through the course of their presentation, Rebelo and Hein provided thought-provoking insights into how societies can amalgamate lessons from both restorative and transitional justice. This combination, they posited, could lead to a holistic approach that tackles immediate concerns and dismantles oppressive structures.
Concluding their talk, both scholars emphasized the need for proactive, comprehensive strategies that anticipate and mitigate potential points of conflict. They called upon policymakers, activists, and citizens alike to recognize the broader systems at play and to actively work towards dismantling them.
The powerful presentation by Marta Sá Rebelo and Laura Hein serves as a stark reminder of the importance of looking beyond individual incidents and addressing the larger, more pervasive systems of injustice. As the world grapples with the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and similar incidents, their insights offer a valuable roadmap towards a more just and equitable future.
