ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to shed light on the positioning and behaviour of religious NGOs (RNGO) in regard to transitional justice. The main aim of restorative justice is to restore social relations, which it seeks to do through measures such as reconciliation, compensation, renewed espousal of shared values, processes leading to a shared understanding of past events, and the empowerment of victims. The chapter provides an overview of the debate surrounding the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Punishment is seen not only as a deterrent but as the key mechanism in implementing justice. It outlines the main area of contention and gives a brief account of the distinction between restorative and retributive justice. The chapter discusses the majority and minority positions in the field. It analyses the stances and behaviours of relevant RNGOs, focusing on the most active amongst them.
