Book Review: 'Legal Institutions and Collective Memories', Edited By Susanne Karstedt

Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Vol. 48, p. 357, 2010

7 Pages Posted: 13 Oct 2010

See all articles by Penelope Andrews

Penelope Andrews

New York Law School; New York Law School

Date Written: October 11, 2010

Abstract

Certain fundamental questions have recently surfaced in the wake of systemic brutality and extreme atrocities that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and gross violations of human rights. What is the most appropriate method for a society to punish the perpetrators? How does a society pay tribute to and provide reparations for individual victims? How does a society heal the collective trauma and devastation caused by brutality and atrocities? What are the most effective steps to be taken to ensure that the past is not repeated? The role of legal institutions and legal processes and their engagement with and entanglementof individual and collective memories raise further difficult and complex questions.

These questions have become staples for advocates and scholars in the human rights community, both at the local and international level, and several impressive texts dedicated to these issues have been produced. This volume, a welcome addition to the literature, contributes comprehensive historical, sociological, and legal perspectives to this important dialogue.

Dedicated as a tribute to Maurice Halbwachs (1877-1945) and his coining of the concept of "collective memory", Legal Institutions serves to explore this notion in the wake of several experiments to address and redress war crimes, crimes against humanity, and gross violations of human rights.

Keywords: human rights, restorative justice, reparations, international criminal law

JEL Classification: K14, K33, K40, K42

Suggested Citation

Andrews, Penelope and Andrews, Penelope, Book Review: 'Legal Institutions and Collective Memories', Edited By Susanne Karstedt (October 11, 2010). Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Vol. 48, p. 357, 2010 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1690505 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1690505

Penelope Andrews (Contact Author)

New York Law School ( email )

185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
United States
212-431-2351 (Phone)

New York Law School ( email )

185 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
United States

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