""In the face of such 'unspeakable truths,' wouldn't it be better to simply, quietly bow out?" (Kora Andrieu: Sorry for the Genocide, 2009). This book affirms this question regarding colonial crimes through an interdisciplinary approach. For coming to terms with massive systemic injustice, not only the historic foundations and legal questions are relevant, but also political viewpoints as well as peace ethics. The book reveals: In the face of extreme violence, even genocide, a political apology can be aneffective tool for conflict transformation, even when the injustice is far in the past"--
In order to guarantee peace and security in global togetherness, a confrontation with the colonial past is fundamental. This book deals with legal, political and ethical questions of coming to terms with the violent German colonial history in Africa.
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Maps
1Introduction
1Starting Position: Diagnosing the Problem
2Enquiry/Key Questions, Aims, Research Hypotheses
3Methodical Approach and Structure of This Paper
4Sources and Current State of Literature and Research
5Political and Scientific Relevance of This Paper
2Historical Background Genocide in the Colony
1Colonial Rule in German South West Africa
2Eroding the Limits of Violence in War (1904 to 1908)
3Concentration Camps and Forced Labour
4Consequences in the Resent
3On Legal Reappraisal Category Genocide
1A Crime against Human Rights?
2Answers Derived from Genocide Research
3Judicial Reappraisal of the Colonial Injustice
4Approaches of Political Reappraisal
1Forgetting, Suppressing, Avoiding
2Development Aid as Compensation?
3The G-Word and Breaking Taboos
4Politicising Colonial Injustice
5German-Namibian Talks
5An Ethical and Moral Approach The Way of Apology
1Requirements of a Political Apology
22004 Memorial Ceremony on the Waterberg Forgive Us Our Trespasses
3Non-political Apologies
4Impetus from Political Actors
5Prospects of a Plea for Forgiveness
Conclusion
1Summary
2Policy Recommendation
3Other Means of Reappraisal
4Outlook
Afterword
Appendix
Sources and Literature
Julia Böcker, is a peace educator and mediator. She studied history and international law (MA) and peace & security studies (MPS). After chapters in Switzerland, Israel and the USA, she works for the Center of Ethical Education in the Armed Forces in Hamburg, Germany. Dealing with the past is a main focus of her research interest.
