What role can and should the law play in the “recovery” or “recuperation” of the collective memory of state sanctioned uhman rights abuses? Who benefits and who loses when historical memory laws are passed, why do they take the form they do, and what effects do they have on various actors, i.e. victims, the state, etc? Does faith (in human rights, law, democracy or religion), facilitate or hinder attempts to retell the past in ways that take due account of the interests of victims of past human rights abuses?
The CHRC has set up a research group on Historical Justice and Human Rights. The group aims to bring together scholars who are working in the related issues of legal history, transitional justice, law and memory and human rights. This research group has a research agenda in the area of human rights and historical justice through an interdisciplinary approach to issues of past human rights abuses through an exploration of memory, narratives, transitional justice and reconciliation. It combines interests in the jurisprudence, social and cultural theory with policy-relevant research. It brings together scholars working in the areas of legal history, law and postcolonialism and, transitional justice. The theme of human rights and historical justice builds on work in the Middle East, Cambodia, the Balkans, Ireland, Spain, Australia and Cyprus and aims to offer an intellectual linkage in tackling theoretical and practical challenges in addressing past wrongs in the context of building justice-based societies. The group seeks to participate in research networks working on the theme in the university, nationally and internationally. It operates under the auspices of the CHRC.
Members of the research group on Historical Justice and Human Rights include: John Strawson, Barry Collins, Michael Phillips, Kalliopi Chainoglou and Johanna Herman.