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International Conference on Restorative Justice. Leuven Communiqué
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Note: the Fifth International Conference on Restorative Justice was held at Leuven University, Belgium, on 16 - 19 September 2001. The participants were practitioners and researchers from over 20 countries. They support justice systems that bring together those harmed, the people causing the harm and their communities to understand what has happened and what needs to be done to handle conflicts.
Delegates at the Fifth International Conference on Restorative Justice offer their deep sympathy to all those injured, and the relatives of those who lost their lives, in the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001.
Most of us come from countries which have also suffered from, and/or committed, acts of violence in living memory. In the light of our experience we offer our support to any response which does not cause further injuries or loss of life. We the participants strongly believe that restorative justice principles can contribute to a constructive response to these events.
We urge the relevant authorities, through the United Nations, to seek dialogue and deeper understanding, on all sides, of the political, economic and religious background of this terrible attack, with a view to increasing the security of all peoples by reducing the probability that such violence will be repeated.
The above communique was proposed and seconded by an American and a Lebanese participant, respectively, on 19 September 2001 and carried without dissent.
Last modified 2007-05-02 20:40
