Global Reparations for Historical Abuses of Children, Indigenous Peoples, and Minorities

Globally, past violence against children, minorities, and marginalized groups is being revisited and not merely concealed or forgotten. This is made possible by various factors, notably the overall increase in human rights awareness within society. One prominent aspect is the uncovering of past issues due to reports of violence in care facilities. Additionally, psychological research on trauma and adverse childhood experiences has highlighted that such harm is not merely a historical issue but one that affects individuals throughout their lives, bringing the problem into sharper focus.BRThe spread of international norms that recognize justice from the perspective of victims and the emergence of restorative justice within criminal justice systems—emphasizing recovery over merely punishing perpetrators—have also played a role. Furthermore, this issue is not limited to newly independent nations undergoing state formation; developed Western countries are addressing internal colonialism and internal violence issues through transformative justice.BRFor instance, the recognition of anti-social elements in Germany, child abuse in Nordic countries and Canada, issues concerning minorities in Norway, and the relationship with nature are being identified as tasks for historical recovery. These examples demonstrate that the task of addressing historical injustices is evolving from judicial justice to restorative and transformative justice processes, emphasizing the connection between the past and present. This shift underscores the recognition of these issues as structural inequalities.