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 476 - 500 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
19 April 2006 USA Alabama pardon civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr

 The Alabama state legislature passes a bill to posthumously pardon civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as hundreds of others arrested for violating racial segregation laws.

 “Alabama nears pardon for Parks, King.” Montreal Gazette. 4/19/06. pA19.
19 April 2006 USA legislature passes a bill to posthumously pardon civil rights icons

 The Alabama state legislature passes a bill to posthumously pardon civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as hundreds of others arrested for violating racial segregation laws.

 “Alabama nears pardon for Parks, King.” Montreal Gazette. 4/19/06. pA19.
24 April 2006 Nepal’s King Gyanendra -victims of recent political violence

During a speech reinstating parliament, Nepal’s King Gyanendra expresses condolences for the victims of recent political violence.

 “King Gyanendra’s Speech.” www.bbc.com. April 25, 2006.
1 May 2006 China pays compensation to the mother of a 15-year old boy beaten to death

 China pays compensation to the mother of a 15-year old boy beaten to death by police during the 1989 crack-down.

 Olesen, Alexa. “Mother of Tiananmen victim paid for ‘hardship.’” Montreal Gazette. May 1, 2006.
8 May 2006 Canada - Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement,

Canada announces the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, which called for payments, commemoration, and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

 http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100015755/1100100015756.
28 May 2006 A South Korean victims’ group calls on the U.S. to apologize

A South Korean victims’ group calls on the U.S. to apologize for manipulating the investigation into the shooting of refugees at No Gun Ri in 1950.

 “U.S. apology sought in Korean refugee killings.” www.cnn.com. May 29, 2006.
3 June 2006 USA-Race riot in Wilmington, USA recommends reparations

A state panel studying the 1898 race riot in Wilmington, NC recommends reparations be paid by government and businesses.

 DeSantis, John. “Wilmington, N.C., Revisits a Bloody 1898 Day.” New York Times. 6/4/06.
6 June 2006 Iraqi release of 2,500 detainees

 Iraqi prime minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said he would release 2,500 detainees as part of national reconciliation efforts.

 Hauser, Christine. “Iraqi Leader to Release 2,500 Prisoners.” New York Times. June 6, 2006.
28 June 2006 Newfoundland and Labrador apologizes for the head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century

Premier Danny Williams of Newfoundland and Labrador apologizes for the head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants in the early 20th century.

 http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2005/exec/0122n03.htm
17 July 2006 Suriname-massacre of 39 civilians by the military in 1986

Suriname’s president apologizes for the massacre of 39 civilians by the military in 1986.  The apology and compensation were mandated by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2005.

 “Suriname: Massacre Apology.” Montreal Gazette. July 17, 2006.
19 July 2006 Israel-deaths of eight Canadians in Lebanon from an Israeli bomb

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expresses sorrow for the deaths of eight Canadians in Lebanon from an Israeli bomb.

 “Olmert voices sorrow over Montrealers’ death.” Montreal Gazette. July 20, 2006.
21 July 2006 Hezbollah - attack that killed two Israeli Arab children

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah apologizes for an attack that killed two Israeli Arab children.

 “Hezbollah leader apologizes for attack’s child victims.” http://www.cnn.com. July 21, 2006.
21 July 2006 USA Republican Party and African Americans

U.S. President George W. Bush expresses regret for this history of strained ties between the Republican Party and African Americans.

 Stolberg, Sheryl. “In Speech to NAACP, Bush Offers Reconciliation.” New York Times. July 21, 2006.
22 July 2006 Canada- the treatment of Chinese immigrants in imposing a head tax

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologizes unreservedly for the treatment of Chinese immigrants in imposing a head tax

 Mulgrew, Ian. “Harper’s head-tax apology.” Montreal Gazette. June 23, 2006.
27 July 2006 Israel-UN Israeli bomb attack in Lebanon that killed four peacekeepers

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert apologizes to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for an Israeli bomb attack in Lebanon that killed four peacekeepers.

 “Post Hit Despite Pleas.” Montreal Gazette. July 27, 2006. pA1.
16 August 2006 Britain pardons over 300 soldiers executed for cowardice in World War I.

 Britain pardons over 300 soldiers executed for cowardice in World War I

 “WWI deserters receive pardon.” Montreal Gazette. November 8, 2006.
27 August 2006 Israel -Reuters journalists attack in Gaza.

The Israeli army apologizes for attacking a vehicle operated by Reuters journalists in Gaza.

 Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. “Air strike hits news SUV in Gaza.” Montreal Gazette. August 27, 2006.
30 August 2006 Japan- Chinese women forced into sex slavery during World War II

A Japanese court rejected demands for an apology and compensation for Chinese women forced into sex slavery during World War II.

 “Japan: No payout for Chinese sex slaves.” Montreal Gazette. August 31, 2006.
8 September 2006 Chile- dictator Augusto Pinochet stripped of immunity from prosecution

 Chile’s supreme court strips former dictator Augusto Pinochet of immunity from prosecution.

 “Pinochet loses immunity in rights case.” Montreal Gazette. September 9, 2006. pA27
16 September 2006 Pope Benedict XVI remarks on Islam

Pope Benedict XVI regrets his recent remarks on Islam and violence that were offensive to Muslims.

 Fisher, Ian. “Vatican Says Pope Benedict Regrets Offending Muslims.” New York Times. September 17, 2006.
20 September 2006 Canada- Maher Arar deportation from the U.S. to be tortured in Syria

The Canadian House of Commons unanimously apologizes to Maher Arar for permitting his deportation from the U.S. to be tortured in Syria.

 Sallot, Jeff and Colin Freeze. “House apologizes for Arar’s treatment.” Globe and Mail. Septmeber 22, 2006.
20 September 2006 Abkhaz authorities request apology from Georgia.

Abkhaz secessionist authorities request an apology from Georgia in order to settle their 13-year conflict

 Anjaparidze, Zaal. “Abkhazia Requests Georgian Apology and Dreads New War.” Eurasia Daily Monitor. Volume 3, Issue 179. September 28, 2006.
14 October 2006 30 Muslim clerics sign a letter accepting the apology of Pope Benedict XVI

30 Muslim clerics sign a letter accepting the apology of Pope Benedict XVI for controversial remarks he made about Islam.

 “38 Muslim clerics accept pope’s apology.” Montreal Gazette. October 14, 2006
7 November 2006 Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein -calls for national reconciliation

Shortly after being sentenced to hang, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein calls for national reconciliation, saying, “I call upon all Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds, to forgive, reconcile, and shake hands.” He also recounts how the prophet Mohammed and Jesus Christ both forgave their enemies.

 Daragahi, Borzou. “Forgive and forget, Saddam says.” Montreal Gazette. November 8, 2006.
20 November 2006 NATO apologizes for civilian casualties in a raid

 NATO apologizes for civilian casualties in a raid.

 Graveland, Bill. “NATO apologizes for civilian casualties.” Montreal Gazette. November 21, 2006.

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