ABSTRACT
The crime of genocide appears to be an unforgivable sin. Its scale, intent, anonymity, and brutally destructive nature leaves those who survive without justice or closure. Its perpetrators are often faceless, nameless killers. And yet, many surviving victims have grappled with the issue of forgiveness. Their conclusions vary widely; some dismiss any notion of forgiveness out of hand, others embrace it as a form of self-liberation. Whatever the individual’s journey, the question of what, who, and whether the crime of genocide can be forgiven remains vexed from theological, psychological, and jurisprudential perspectives. This chapter will examine how surviving victims perceive the matter of forgiveness of the unforgivable crimes perpetrated against them.
