If you want peace, forget justice

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If you want peace, forget justice

09 Nov 2010

Without Nelson Mandela and his ethos of forgiveness, many believe that Apartheid in South Africa could not have come to an end without a bloodbath.

But was justice done for apartheid’s victims, or was ‘Reconciliation’ valued over ‘Truth’? Is a viable future more important for the Timorese than righting the wrongs of the past? Is justice even possible when one side making an agreement has all of the power?

The panel discussed this at the Syndney Opera House on October 2 as part of The Festival of Dangerous Ideas. Some of the thorniest issues and most intractable conflicts throughout the world - Ireland, Timor, Cyprus, the Middle East - were mentioned in a discussion which aimed to draw out what peace and justice can mean in the 21st century - and which of the two we should strive to achieve.

First Vote
29% For, 37% Against, 34% Undecided

Final Vote
41% For, 50% Against, 9% Undecided

The motion was defeated by 9%