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 401 - 425 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
21 April 2003 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell issues a letter to Spain over the shelling of the main hotel for journalists in Bagdad

 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell issues a letter to Spain over the shelling of the main hotel for journalists in Bagdad, which killed two journalists.  Powell’s letter expressed sorrow and condolences but did not include an apology and sought to justify the military’s actions

 Daly, Emma and Jim Rutenberg. “In Latter, Powell Defends Shelling of Journalists’ Hotel.” New York Times. April 25, 2003.
22 April 2003 The president of Uruguay announces that the families of people who died because of the military dictatorship that ruled from 1973 to 1985 will be compensated

The president of Uruguay announces that the families of people who died because of the military dictatorship that ruled from 1973 to 1985 will be compensated.

 Rohter, Larry. “Uruguay: Compensation for Dictatorship.” New York Times. April 22, 2003.
26 April 2003 The daughter of German Jews who once owned Germany’s largest retail chain files a lawsuit in U.S. federal court

 The daughter of German Jews who once owned Germany’s largest retail chain files a lawsuit in U.S. federal court seeking compensation from the firm that took over the chain, which the family lost during Hitler’s Aryanization campaign in the 1930s. 

 Jacobs, Andrew. “Suite Seeks Compensation for Loss of a Jewish Retail Empire.” New York Times. April 26, 2003.
9 May 2003 Hapsburg dynasty ask the Austrian government to return properties seized by the Nazis

Using a law intended to help Jewish victims of the Holocaust, the heirs to the Hapsburg dynasty ask the Austrian government to return properties seized by the Nazis on the eve of World War II

 Green, Peter. “Hapsburgs Ask Austria to Return Estates Seized by Nazis.” New York Times. May 10, 2003.
12 May 2003 Argentinia announces pardon for leaders of two attempts to overthrow the government

Argentinian President Eduardo Duhalde announces that he will pardon the leaders of two attempts to overthrow the government in 1989 and 1990, both of whom were serving life sentences.

 Rohter, Larry. “Argentina: Departing Leader Pardons Plotters.” New York Times. May 21, 2003.
15 May 2003 Russian proposes granting amnesty to Chechen separatists

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposes granting amnesty to Chechen separatists who agree to disarm.  Russia’s parliament approves the amnesty on June 6.

 Myers, Steven Lee. “Putin Offers an Amnesty Plan Covering Most Chechan Rebels.” New York Times. May 16, 2003; “A Russian Amnesty Offer Fails to Halt Fighting in Chechnya.” New York Times. June 8, 2003.
31 May 2003 The British Columbia provincial government apologizes and offers compensation for abuses suffered by people living in homes for the developmentally disabled

 The British Columbia provincial government apologizes and offers compensation for abuses suffered by people living in homes for the developmentally disabled.

 Barkan, Elazar, ed. Taking Wrongs Seriously. Stanford, 2006. p6.
4 June 2003 New Zealand apologizes for violating treaties with Maori groups

 New Zealand formally apologizes for violating treaties with Maori groups.

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p161.
7 June 2003 Catholic Church Croats should attempt to forgive Serbs for ethnic killings 12 years ago.

In Croatia, Pope Jean Paul II encourages Croats to attempt to forgive Serbs for ethnic killings 12 years ago.

 Green, Peter S. “Forgive, Pope Says, But Croats Find It Hard.” New York Times. June 6, 2003.
12 July 2003 Ukraine and Poland call for mutual forgiveness

At the sight of a 1943 massacre, the presidents of Ukraine and Poland call for mutual forgiveness.

 “Ukraine: Joint Memorial to Massacre.” New York Times. July 12, 2003.
18 July 2003 Zimbabwe’s Council of Churches - violence and hunger

Zimbabwe’s Council of Churches apologizes for failing to stop violence and hunger under President Mugabe.

 “Zimbabwe: Churches Regret Inaction.” New York Times. 7/18/03.
13 August 2003 USA-Iraq soldiers taking down a flag from a mosque in Sadr City, Baghdad.

 The U.S. apologizes for American soldiers taking down a flag from a mosque in Sadr City, Baghdad.

 Oppel, Richard A. Jr. “U.S. Apologizes for Baghdad Mosque Incident.” New York Times. August 15, 2003.
13 August 2003 Japan- China, people sickened from exposure to chemical weapons

Japan apologizes to China, after dozens of people are sickened from exposure to chemical weapons that Japan left in China at the end of World War II.

 Onishi, Norimitsu. “Japan Apologizes to China for Injuries From Remnants of War.” New York Times. August 13, 2003.
14 August 2003 Argentina a revokes two amnesty laws that shield hundreds of military officers

 The lower house of Argentina’s Congress approves a bill to revoke two amnesty laws that shield hundreds of military officers accused of human rights abuses during the dictatorship that was in place from 1976 to 1983.

 Rohter, Larry. “Argentina: Legislators Back Amnesty Repeal.” New York Times. August 14, 2003.
15 August 2003 Libya- 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie

Libya formally accepted responsibility for the 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland bit did not express remorse for the 270 people killed.

 Barringer, Felicity. “Libya Admits Culpability In Crash of Pan Am Plane.” New York Times. August 16, 2003. pA6.
16 August 2003 An American who fled Estonia 60 years ago donates $2 million to build a Museum

An American who fled Estonia 60 years ago donates $2 million to build a Museum of Occupations in Tallinn to chronicle atrocities committed by the Nazi and Soviet occupations.

 “60 Years After Fleeing, Woman Helps Estonia Recall Its Sad Past.” New York Times. August 16, 2003.
28 August 2003 Peru’s truth and reconciliation commission releases a report on 69,000 people killed

 Peru’s truth and reconciliation commission releases a report on 69,000 people killed between 1980 and 2000 by government and rebel forces.  Angelica Mendoza, the leader of a victims group, says, “It is not easy to reconcile until there is justice, until we know what happened to our relatives.”

 August 28, 2003: Peru’s truth and reconciliation commission releases a report on 69,000 people killed between 1980 and 2000 by government and rebel forces. Angelica Mendoza, the leader of a victims group, says, “It is not easy to reconcile until there i
29 August 2003 Libyan foundation pays compensation-bombing in West Berlin

A Libyan foundation controlled by Moammar Gaddafi’s son pays compensation to the relatives of three victims of a 1986 disco bombing in West Berlin.

 “Libya: Compensation Offer.” New York Times. 8/29/03.
30 August 2003 Denmark’s cooperation with Nazi occupiers

In a speech marking the 60th anniversary of the Nazi surrender, Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen publicly condemns for the first time Denmark’s cooperation with Nazi occupiers in World War II.

 Denmark: Apology for Cooperation with Nazis.” New York Times. 8/30/03.
11 September 2003 Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro leaders Apologize for ‘Evils’ Done by Their Nations

 The presidents of Croatia and Serbia-Montenegro apologize to each other for the wrongs done by their respective countries in the ethnic and religious strife of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.

 “Balkan leaders Apologize for ‘Evils’ Done by Their Nations.” Los Angeles Times. September 11, 2003.
28 November 2003 President Bush apologizes, deaths of two South Korean girls hit by a U.S. military

 President Bush apologizes, via the U.S. ambassador in Seoul, for the deaths of two South Korean girls hit by a U.S. military vehicle in June.

 Kirk, Don. “Bush Apologizes to Koreans For Army’s Killing of 2 Girls.” New York Times. November 28, 2002.
4 December 2003 Britain-deportation of 11,000 Acadians

Queen Elizabeth II acknowledges the wrongs caused by the deportation of 11,000 Acadians from Atlantic Canada in the 1750s

 “Queen acknowledges Acadian deportation.” www.cbc.ca 12/4/03.
18 December 2003 Haiti President asks France for restitution.

In anticipation of Haiti’s bicentennial, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide asks France to pay $21B in restitution to its former colony.

 Charles, Jacqueline. “Aristide pushes for restitution from France.” Miami Herald. December 18, 2003.
January 2004 Germany- Namibia regret over the killing of Herero people in the colonial war

Germany’s ambassador to Namibia expresses regret over the killing of Herero people in the colonial war

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p161.
4 January 2004 Switzerland pardons violators of Swiss neutrality laws

Switzerland pardons people who were convicted of violating Swiss neutrality laws by helping Jews flee Nazi Germany.

 “Swiss pardon those convicted of helping Jews.” Philadelphia Inquirer. 1/4/04.

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