Event, June 25: Restorative Justice, Truth and Reconciliation

In a region marred by conflict and deep-seated resentment, it is imperative to pause and reflect on our methods of prescribing justice and attempt to create an environment that nurtures compassion.

Drawing inspiration from the Truth and Reconciliation process in South Africa, it is clear that a breakthrough could only be accomplished when all parties involved discontinued their confrontational approaches.

We at Southasia Peace Action Network call for transitioning from a retributive justice model to a restorative justice approach, which will allow us to move beyond the narrow focus on punishment and instead prioritise healing and reconciliation within and between countries in the region.

To this end, Southasia Peace Action Network (Sapan) will host a seminar on Restorative Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation on Sunday, 25 June 2023, with featured speaker Ela Gandhi.

A social worker and political activist in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi’s granddaughter Ela Gandhi has served two terms in the South African Parliament representing the ANC and was a member of the inter-party Justice Portfolio Committee that drafted the Truth and Reconciliation legislation.

Register here to get a personalised joining link from Zoom in your email.

Or tune into YouTube Live. The video will also be shared on Facebook.

Date: Sunday, 25 June 2023

Time: 10:00 am ET / 7:00 pm PKT / 7:30 pm IST / 7:45 pm NPT / 8:00 pm BST 

Roundtable discussants include:

• Ambika Satkunanathan, human-rights advocate, Sri Lanka
• Kanak Mani Dixit, writer and journalist, Nepal
• Suraj Budathoki, Peace Initiative Bhutan

There will be a cultural performance by musician Sumangala Damodaran who is also a development economist, in India.

Acclaimed photographer Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh will present the Sapan Founding Charter. Activist Shailaja Rao will host the event from Seattle. Journalist and Sapan founder-curator Beena Sarwar will moderate the discussion. Closing remarks by rights activist Khawar Mumtaz in Lahore.

See Speaker bios here.

This is Sapan’s 17th webinar — part of our almost-monthly Sunday series ‘Imagine! Neighbours in Peace’, a title borrowed from an unpublished volume by Chowk.com.

Past discussions have focused on issues ranging from the climate crisis and rights of the incarcerated, to gender-based violence, public health, resistance culture, and human rights in Southasia.

The Sapan Founding Charter – translated in various Southasian languages – affirms a commitment to peace and justice in the region and calls for a visa-free Southasia, or at least soft borders, ease of visa, or visa on arrival. 

Sapan is a volunteer-driven organisation. Please contribute to help us take our work forward. Any amount is welcome.