Political Apologies

AHDA Political Apology

How does the act of apologizing enable societies to come to terms with their past?

Political apologies can be a powerful tool in the re-examination of a nation's history, and the significance this history has on democratic processes. The project includes a working list of political apologies throughout history that political scientist Graham Dodds has researched and compiled.

This is a working list of major political apologies and related events. The selection criteria for compiling the list are somewhat loose, but the intent is to include any and all apologies that involve states, nations, or major political groups and actors, generally for significant public wrongs. Thus, apologies by individual politicians for more narrow matters (e.g., alleged personal or criminal failings) are generally excluded.

Should you wish to add to the list, please e-mail ahda@columbia.edu.

Displaying 326 - 350 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
3 October 2001 Human rights leaders in Nigeria demand a public apology -ousting democratically-elected governments

Human rights leaders in Nigeria demand a public apology from former military leaders for intermittently ousting democratically-elected governments from office

 “Rights Groups Demand Apology From Past Military Leaders.” Africa News Service. October 3, 2001.
8 October 2001 Japan apologizes for Chinese who lost their lives in World War II

 Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi apologizes and expresses condolences in China for those Chinese who lost their lives in World War II.

 “Japanese PM Expresses Heartfelt Apology Over Aggression.” Xinhua News Agency. October 8, 2001.
22 November 2001 Pope John Paul II issues an apology for sex abuse by priests

 Pope John Paul II issues an apology for sex abuse by priests.

 Allen, John L., Jr. “Vatican moves to address sex abuse problem.” National Catholic Reporter. December 7, 2001
24 December 2001 Canada apologizes for the execution of 23 Canadian soldiers by allied firing squads

Canada’s House of Commons apologizes for the execution of 23 Canadian soldiers by allied firing squads for desertion or cowardice in World War I, saying the punishment was too harsh.  (The Canadians were among 306 Commonwealth soldiers shot for desertion between 1914 and 1918.)  The apology does not erase their convictions.

 Shaw, Geoffrey. “The ‘sorry’ state of history.” Alberta Report. February 4, 2002. See also “A belated apology.” Maclean’s. December 24, 2001.
8 January 2002 Brazil USA apology for remarks by Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill,

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso of Brazil demands that the U.S. apologize for remarks by Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, who called Brazilians corrupt.

 Miranda, Marcia. “Brazil Demands An Apology From The USA.” Pravda. January 8, 2002.
9 January 2002 Boston Cardinal Bernard Law offers a public apology to people abused by priests as children

Boston Cardinal Bernard Law offers a public apology “with heartfelt sorrow” to people abused by priests as children.

 Geoghan, John L. “Boston cardinal offers apology to sex abuse victims.” National Catholic Reporter. January 18, 2002
18 January 2002 Russian Communist leader Gennadi Zyuganov- Poland's wishes for an apology

Russian Communist leader Gennadi Zyuganov says Moscow should not bow to Poland's wishes for an apology over the massacre of Polish officers by Soviet agents at Katyn during World War II.

 “Russia – Jan. 18 – Zyuganov Opposes Apology.” APS Diplomat Recorder. January 19, 2002.
6 February 2002 Belgium-1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba,

Belgium apologizes for participating in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s first Prime Minister, and establishes a memorial fund to assist Congolese youth and democracy.

 Riding, Alan. “Belgium Confronts Its Heart of Darkness.” New York Times. September 21, 2002. See also “Belgium: apology for Lumumba killing.” New York Times. February 6, 2002.
7 February 2002 The Hausa community Nigeria, apologizes to Governor Bola Tinubu for ethnic violence

 The Hausa community in Idi-Araba, Nigeria, apologizes to Governor Bola Tinubu for ethnic violence in which over 100 people were killed.

 “The Hausa Apology for Idi-Araba Crisis.” Africa News Service. March 11, 2002.
27 February 2002 European Union -Zimbabwe imposition of sanctions

European Union official Chris Patten apologizes to the people of Zimbabwe for the imposition of sanctions on February 18.

 “Patten’s Apology Deficient.” Africa News Service. March 2, 2002.
13 March 2002 Malaysia- U.S. Time Magazine February 11 edition.

The Malaysian cabinet accepts an apology from U.S. Time Magazine for an unflattering depiction of the country in its February 11 edition.

 “Malaysia Accepts Apology From Time Magazine.” Xinhua News Agency. March 13, 2002.
13 March 2002 Queen Elizabeth does not commit to reparations for Jamaicans.

One month after visiting Jamaica, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges (but does not commit to accept) a request by Jamaican Rastafarians for reparations for slavery.

 “‘I’ll get back to you,’ Queen Elizabeth tells Jamaica Rastafarians.” Reuters. March 13, 2002.
29 March 2002 Catholic Church apology to victims of sexual abuse

 As part of a settlement of a lawsuit brought by 23 former altar boys who were molested by a priest, Oregon Archbishop John Vlazny issues a public apology to victims of sexual abuse.

 “Accusers say church rarely offers sincere, simple apology.” National Catholic Reporter. March 29, 2002.
24 April 2002 Catholic Church apologizes to victims of sexual abuse by priests

 Pope John Paul II apologizes to victims of sexual abuse by priests.

 Henneberger, Melinda. “Pope offers apology to victims of sex abuse by priests.” New York Times. April 11, 2002.
29 April 2002 Austria apologizes for a clinic at Am Spiegelgrund

 Austria apologizes for a clinic at Am Spiegelgrund in which 789 mentally handicapped children were subjected to medical experiments and murder during the Nazi regime.

 Erlanger, Steven. “Vienna buries child victims of Nazis.” New York Times. April 29, 2002.
May 2002 USA-Sterilization program “shameful.

Virginia Governor Mark Warner calls the state’s past sterilization program “shameful.”

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p160.
23 May 2002 Japan-Chinese police forcibly removing five North Korean asylum seekers

 Japan’s Foreign Ministry asks the Chinese ambassador to apologize for Chinese police forcibly removing five North Korean asylum seekers from Japan’s consulate in northeast China on May 8.

 “Japan Still Seeking Chinese Apology.” United Press International. May 23, 2002.
29 May 2002 Nigeria-rights abuses by previous governments

 Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo apologizes to Nigerians for years of rights abuses by previous governments, on the occasion of the country’s third anniversary of establishing democracy.

 “Obasanjo’s Apology.” Africa News Service. June 5, 2002.
31 May 2002 Catholic Church for an inappropriate sexual relationship in the 1970’s.

 Former Milwaukee Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland apologizes for an inappropriate sexual relationship in the 1970’s.

 “Archbishop Weakland Makes Public Apology for ‘My Sinfulness.’” America. June 17, 2002.
5 June 2002 Uruguay Argentina apology for remarks made

Uruguay President Jorge Batlle apologizes to his Argentine counterpart, Eduardo Duhalde, for calling Argentina's politicians “a pack of thieves, from the first to the last.”

 Rohter, Larry. “Uruguay: an apology to Argentina.” New York Times. June 5, 2002:
20 June 2002 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) -AOL Time Warner Palestinian suicide bombers

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) accepts a written apology from AOL Time Warner Vice Chairman Ted Turner for his comments in a London newspaper justifying Palestinian suicide bombers.

 “ADL Welcomes Apology From Ted Turner.” US Newswire. June 20, 2002.
23 June 2002 Catholic Church sexual abuses

Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony apologizes to church members for sexual abuses by priests and asks for forgiveness.

 Jones, Arthur. “Lon Angeles churches hear cardinal’s apology.” National Catholic Reporter. July 5, 2002.
24 June 2002 The Quebec- British monarchy to admit responsibility for the deportation of Acadians

The Quebec National Assembly unanimously votes to ask the British monarchy to admit responsibility for the deportation of Acadians in the 1750s and 1760s.

 “Asking for an apology.” Maclean’s. June 24, 2002.
13 July 2002 Iran calls on the United States to apologize

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami calls on the United States to apologize to the Iranian people for its “misdeeds in the past.

 “Iran’s Khatami calls for U.S. apology.” United Press International. July 14, 2002.
16 July 2002 The Irish Republican Army apologizes for civilian deaths

 The Irish Republican Army apologizes for civilian deaths over its thirty year struggle to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.

 Lavery, Brian. “I.R.A. Apologizes for Civilian Deaths in Its 30-Year Campaign.” New York Times. July 17, 2002. pA5.

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