Two Recent Conferences in Latin America
The growing interest in restorative justice in Latin America has resulted in two recent conferences on the subject. These conferences provide a glimpse at the strength of the restorative justice movement in that region.
In June of 2005, a conference sponsored by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Development Programme titled Access to Justice Through Alternative Conflict Resolution brought together international and regional experts to exchange experiences. Presentations covered:
- An innovative experiment in community-based dispute resolution processes in Argentina
- Overview of restorative justice around the world and in New Zealand
- Restorative justice implementation and supporting legislation in Chile
- Pilot projects in Brazil
The conference adopted the Carta de Brasília calling for expansion of participatory and restorative justice. The conference organizers also published a collection of articles on restorative justice in Portuguese.
Then in September 2005, representatives from 12 Latin American countries met in Costa Rica to share their experiences with restorative justice programmes and initiatives. Held from 22-24 September, the conference -- “Building Restorative Justice in Latin America” -- provided a forum for practitioners, policy makers, and others interested in criminal justice reform to report on developments in their countries.
The conference,sponsored by the Centre for Justice and Reconciliation at Prison Fellowship International and the Latin American Institute of the United Nations for Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders (ILANUD), featured plenary speakers from Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, and the United States. Topics of discussion included (see the conference programme and paper summaries below):
- The standing of restorative justice in the region
- Crafting legislation (with Colombia as an example)
- Developing restorative programmes (with Brazil as an example)
- Operating Mediation centres in Chile and Argentina
- Fundraising and building public support
- Constructing a strategy for further implementation
Conference participants adopted the Declaration of Costa Rica about Restorative Justice in Latin America . The declaration addressed the desperate need for criminal justice reform in Latin America, provided a definition of restorative programmes, set forth values and principles of restorative justice, and proposed a strategy for promoting further implementation in the region.
Lynette Parker
November 2005
