Full title in original language:
Restorative approaches to criminal justice in Africa. The case of Uganda
Education level:
University University (18+ years)Topic / subtopic:
Crime prevention and criminal justice Restorative justice Criminal justice systemTarget audience:
Students,
Teachers / Lecturers
Type of resource:
Publication / Article
Languages:
English
Region of relevance:
Global
Access:
open access
Individual authors:
Simon Robins
Publication year:
2015
Published by:
Institute for Security Studies
Copyright holder:
© Institute for Security Studies
Contact name and address:
Institute for Security Studies
Contact website:
Key themes:
cpcj, criminal justice, justice, crime, restorative justice, africa, uganda
Links:
Short description:
Restorative justice in African states has gained a significant profile through transitional justice process, but remains very much at the fringes of mainstream practice in criminal justice systems. Th is article reviews the challenges faced by criminal justice systems in the contemporary African state and the promise of restorative justice from both theory and practice, using Uganda as an example. It is proposed that restorative justice as a concept and restorative customary practices specifically have the potential to address the issues facing justice systems in Africa today. In particular, a state such as Uganda can seek to legitimise restorative approaches through centralised legislation, but allow such practice to be interpreted in a way relevant to custom by the grassroots community courts that exist at the base of the formal legal system.