Reviews of Justice in transition: community restorative justice in Northern Ireland (Anna Eriksson; Uffculme: Willan Publishing, 2009) and Torture, truth and justice: the case of Timor-Leste (Elizabeth Stanley; Abingdon: Routledge, 2009)

Abstract

[Extract] The process of reviewing these two books inevitably involves bringing to the fore a range of preconceived ideas, conceptions, images and theoretical stances by the reviewer. It is important to acknowledge at the outset that from my point of view there is not enough critical literature on restorative justice and transitional justice. Both these books take a critical reflexive approach to restorative and transitional justice paradigms within the specific settings of Northern Ireland and Timor-Leste. Because of this reflexive stance they provide refreshing and informative reading. They are both situated, contextualised readings of restorative and transitional justice that draw from these particular historical examples to enrich our understanding of the broader dynamics of justice in 'post' conflict societies.