Publications by Stephanie Wolfe
in the Oxford Handbook of Atrocity Crimes, 2022
Reparations and apologies have become deeply intertwined over the years and form two key componen... more Reparations and apologies have become deeply intertwined over the years and form two key components of transitional justice after mass atrocity crimes. Reparations without an apology has been derogatorily referred to as “blood money,” a payout for lives lost, but no true responsibility taken or sorrow acknowledged. Apologies without reparation have likewise been flawed, often seen by the victims as hollow words utilized to deflect true responsibility. In isolation, these measures can be used by the state to avoid coming to terms with past injustices. Utilized together, however, apologies and reparations can form the beginning of an apologetic stance in which the state truly engages with those that it victimized and politically atones for past abuses. This chapter will explore the normative trend of coming to terms with past state abuses, with an emphasis on reparations and the role that apologies play within these movements.
in Mass Violence and Memory in the Digital Age, 2020
Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the country has been transformed. Among these transformati... more Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the country has been transformed. Among these transformations was the creation of a series of memorials to document, preserve, and commemorate the genocide. In 2016, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) estimated there were 265 official memorials; however, this number is ever changing as memorials are created, centralized, or merged. While memorials are now highly legislated by governmental bureaucracy, they were not always. Memorials continue to be significantly influenced by internal survivor organizations such as IBUKA, external NGOs such as AEGIS Trust, and other individuals and/or foreign governmental authorities who donate time, money, and resources. The resultant memory practices have ranged from contentious to complimentary, with distinct differences between the memorials depending on when they were built and survivor input. Finally, memorials are increasing their digital presence through both governmental and non-governmental practices.
The Politics of Reparations and Apologies (Wolfe, 2014) established that redress and reparation m... more The Politics of Reparations and Apologies (Wolfe, 2014) established that redress and reparation movements are both highly political and sensitive in nature. The increasing trend of reparation politics since World War II brought forth an expectation within international and domestic societies that states will redress the wrongs inflicted upon the victimized groups. This expectation of justice can fall into five broad categories, which I defined as criminal, reparatory, legislative, historical, and symbolic justice.
This chapter will begin with the exploration of how two of these categories (historical and symbolic justice) are essential to transitional justice:
• Historical justice can be represented in two ways: through historical accounts and collective memory. Official, (i.e. state supported historical accounts) can be obtained in multiple ways: the most common are truth commissions, governmental commissions, trials, and tribunals. Unofficial historical accounts, (i.e. those not associated with the state) can include academic and archival research, memoirs of both victims and perpetrators, and so forth. These unofficial accounts can be just as important as official accounts, as both can impact the collective memory of society.
• Perhaps the most significant category within the transitional justice typology is symbolic justice. Symbolic justice encapsulates the myriad of actions whose focus is to acknowledge and memorialize past atrocities or injustices. Its primary focus is not rooted in legalism but in interpretation and memory transmission. Symbolic justice can take many forms – apologies are the most predominant, yet other types include days of remembrance, moments of silence, monuments, memorials, and museums commemorating the victims. These types of actions can have significant symbolic meaning to victimized groups.
This chapter will make the argument that performance of memory actions within both the historical and symbolic categorizations are essential to creating a successful transitional justice program within the Rwanda context. By building upon the above framework, and incorporating research conducted in Rwanda during 2011 (with additional interviews scheduled for 2012). I examine how Rwanda as a state, and Rwandan nationals as independent actors are attempting to come to terms with its past.
Understanding International Law through Moot Courts: Genocide, Torture, Habeas Corpus, Chemical... more Understanding International Law through Moot Courts: Genocide, Torture, Habeas Corpus, Chemical Weapons, and the Responsibility to Protect consists of five sets of opposing legal briefs and judge’s decisions for five moot court cases held before the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Each moot court brief included in the book addresses contemporary controversies in international affairs; issues ranging from the application of the newly emerging Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, to the torture of detainees, to the derogation from international due process protections. These moot court briefs and case judgments help students formulate legal arguments that will be applicable to other similar cases. They also provide students with excellent sources of international and domestic law, as well as greater comprehension of topics ranging from jurisdictional disputes to matters of evidence. Chapter 1 of the book provides an overview of the book as well as instructions regarding the construction of a moot court. Chapter two, by George Andreopoulos discusses the interrelationship between human rights and international criminal law. Chapters 3 through 7 are the cases. The introduction to each chapter (and subsequently each case) lays out the facts of the case in question, discusses (where applicable) issues associated with the material and contextual elements of the crimes(s) in question, provides additional topics for classroom discussion, and also places the issues of contention between the parties within the broader context of foreign affairs and international relations. After each set of briefs and legal judgments is an appendix which includes an example moot court, as well as an appendix that includes a set of alterable facts that students and faculty could adopt to change the general legal argument of the particular case.
"The Politics of Reparations and Apologies examines the evolution and dynamics of reparation poli... more "The Politics of Reparations and Apologies examines the evolution and dynamics of reparation politics and justice. The volume introduces the key concepts, theories, and terms associated with social movements and in particular, the redress and reparation movement (RRM). Drawing from RRMs that have their foundation in World War II--the German genocides, the United States internments, and the Japanese “comfort women” system-- the volume explores each case study’s relative success or failure in achieving its goals and argues that there are overarching trends that can explain success and failure more generally in the RRM movement. Using the backdrop of international criminal law and normative concepts of reparations, the volume establishes and analyzes the roles of reparations and apologies in obtaining transitional justice.
In each case study, there is a detailed rundown of the political actions that were attempted to obtain redress and reparation for the victims, of how successful the attempts were, and of the crucial factors which influenced the relative success or failure. Crucially, the volume offers a comparative framework of the actions that contribute to a successful outcome for transitional justice. With the increasing normative expectation of justice in post-conflict situations, this volume is a valuable resource for researchers in international affairs, human rights, political science, and conflict studies."
Talks by Stephanie Wolfe
Papers by Stephanie Wolfe
Routledge eBooks, Nov 15, 2022
Routledge eBooks, Nov 15, 2022
Routledge eBooks, Nov 15, 2022
The Oxford Handbook of Atrocity Crimes, 2022
Reparations and apologies have become deeply intertwined over the years and form two key componen... more Reparations and apologies have become deeply intertwined over the years and form two key components of transitional justice after mass atrocity crimes. Reparations without an apology has been derogatorily referred to as “blood money,” a payout for lives lost, but no true responsibility taken or sorrow acknowledged. Apologies without reparation have likewise been flawed, often seen by the victims as hollow words utilized to deflect true responsibility. In isolation, these measures can be used by the state to avoid coming to terms with past injustices. Utilized together, however, apologies and reparations can form the beginning of an apologetic stance in which the state truly engages with those that it victimized and politically atones for past abuses. This chapter will explore the normative trend of coming to terms with past state abuses, with an emphasis on reparations and the role that apologies play within these movements.
Chapter 1: Crucial Topics for International Law Analysis, Debate, and Moot Courts Chapter 2: The ... more Chapter 1: Crucial Topics for International Law Analysis, Debate, and Moot Courts Chapter 2: The "Turn to Protection" George Andreopoulos Chapter 3: Alleged Genocide and Failure to Prevent and Punish Genocide: Nolandia versus Notoria and Idealia With Robert Weiner and Brittany Bromfield Chapter 4: Responsibility to Protect: Prosecutor versus Marmyan President With Becky Sims Chapter 5: The Necessity Defense to the Criminal Use of Chemical Weapons: Prosecutor against Head of State, Post-war Country With Stephanie Wolfe, Dave Benjamin and Rick Crawford Chapter 6: Authorizing the Use of Torture for Interrogation: Prosecutor versus the Ministers of Defense and Justice With Aaron Fichtelberg and Robert J. Beck Chapter 7: Suspending Habeas Corpus during the War against Terrorism: Middle Eastern Country versus Western Country
The Performance of Memory as Transitional Justice
The Politics of Reparations and Apologies (Wolfe, 2014) established that redress and reparation m... more The Politics of Reparations and Apologies (Wolfe, 2014) established that redress and reparation movements are both highly political and sensitive in nature. The increasing trend of reparation politics since World War II brought forth an expectation within international and domestic societies that states will redress the wrongs inflicted upon the victimized groups. This expectation of justice can fall into five broad categories, which I defined as criminal, reparatory, legislative, historical, and symbolic justice. This chapter will begin with the exploration of how two of these categories (historical and symbolic justice) are essential to transitional justice: • Historical justice can be represented in two ways: through historical accounts and collective memory. Official, (i.e. state supported historical accounts) can be obtained in multiple ways: the most common are truth commissions, governmental commissions, trials, and tribunals. Unofficial historical accounts, (i.e. those not associated with the state) can include academic and archival research, memoirs of both victims and perpetrators, and so forth. These unofficial accounts can be just as important as official accounts, as both can impact the collective memory of society. • Perhaps the most significant category within the transitional justice typology is symbolic justice. Symbolic justice encapsulates the myriad of actions whose focus is to acknowledge and memorialize past atrocities or injustices. Its primary focus is not rooted in legalism but in interpretation and memory transmission. Symbolic justice can take many forms – apologies are the most predominant, yet other types include days of remembrance, moments of silence, monuments, memorials, and museums commemorating the victims. These types of actions can have significant symbolic meaning to victimized groups. This chapter will make the argument that performance of memory actions within both the historical and symbolic categorizations are essential to creating a successful transitional justice program within the Rwanda context. By building upon the above framework, and incorporating research conducted in Rwanda during 2011 (with additional interviews scheduled for 2012). I examine how Rwanda as a state, and Rwandan nationals as independent actors are attempting to come to terms with its past.
Mass Violence and Memory in the Digital Age, 2020
Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the country has been transformed. Among these transformati... more Following the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the country has been transformed. Among these transformations was the creation of a series of memorials to document, preserve, and commemorate the genocide. In 2016, the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) estimated there were 265 official memorials; however, this number is ever changing as memorials are created, centralized, or merged. While memorials are now highly legislated by governmental bureaucracy, they were not always. Memorials continue to be significantly influenced by internal survivor organizations such as IBUKA, external NGOs such as AEGIS Trust, and other individuals and/or foreign governmental authorities who donate time, money, and resources. The resultant memory practices have ranged from contentious to complimentary, with distinct differences between the memorials depending on when they were built and survivor input. Finally, memorials are increasing their digital presence through both governmental and non-governmental practices.
Today, it is nearly a given that groups seeking redress or reparation for past wrongs will receiv... more Today, it is nearly a given that groups seeking redress or reparation for past wrongs will receive some fonn of justice. Groups wronged by states often seek and receive apologies and compensation, to the point that it is now worthy of discussion when groups do not receive some form of compensation or acknowledgement. Yet how did this widespread acceptance of redress and reparation emerge? This thesis seeks an answer to this question, while also seeking to understand why it is that different groups, having experienced similar atrocities, have received varying degrees of redress. In order to do so, this thesis examines three countries and two victimised groups within each state-sponsored atrocity. In Germany, the Nazi government perpetrated genocide upon both Jews and Roma; in the United States, Japanese Americans and Japanese Latin Americans were both interned during World War II and, in the third case study, the Japanese military systematically enslaved and raped both Korean and Dut...
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Publications by Stephanie Wolfe
This chapter will begin with the exploration of how two of these categories (historical and symbolic justice) are essential to transitional justice:
• Historical justice can be represented in two ways: through historical accounts and collective memory. Official, (i.e. state supported historical accounts) can be obtained in multiple ways: the most common are truth commissions, governmental commissions, trials, and tribunals. Unofficial historical accounts, (i.e. those not associated with the state) can include academic and archival research, memoirs of both victims and perpetrators, and so forth. These unofficial accounts can be just as important as official accounts, as both can impact the collective memory of society.
• Perhaps the most significant category within the transitional justice typology is symbolic justice. Symbolic justice encapsulates the myriad of actions whose focus is to acknowledge and memorialize past atrocities or injustices. Its primary focus is not rooted in legalism but in interpretation and memory transmission. Symbolic justice can take many forms – apologies are the most predominant, yet other types include days of remembrance, moments of silence, monuments, memorials, and museums commemorating the victims. These types of actions can have significant symbolic meaning to victimized groups.
This chapter will make the argument that performance of memory actions within both the historical and symbolic categorizations are essential to creating a successful transitional justice program within the Rwanda context. By building upon the above framework, and incorporating research conducted in Rwanda during 2011 (with additional interviews scheduled for 2012). I examine how Rwanda as a state, and Rwandan nationals as independent actors are attempting to come to terms with its past.
In each case study, there is a detailed rundown of the political actions that were attempted to obtain redress and reparation for the victims, of how successful the attempts were, and of the crucial factors which influenced the relative success or failure. Crucially, the volume offers a comparative framework of the actions that contribute to a successful outcome for transitional justice. With the increasing normative expectation of justice in post-conflict situations, this volume is a valuable resource for researchers in international affairs, human rights, political science, and conflict studies."
Talks by Stephanie Wolfe
Papers by Stephanie Wolfe
This chapter will begin with the exploration of how two of these categories (historical and symbolic justice) are essential to transitional justice:
• Historical justice can be represented in two ways: through historical accounts and collective memory. Official, (i.e. state supported historical accounts) can be obtained in multiple ways: the most common are truth commissions, governmental commissions, trials, and tribunals. Unofficial historical accounts, (i.e. those not associated with the state) can include academic and archival research, memoirs of both victims and perpetrators, and so forth. These unofficial accounts can be just as important as official accounts, as both can impact the collective memory of society.
• Perhaps the most significant category within the transitional justice typology is symbolic justice. Symbolic justice encapsulates the myriad of actions whose focus is to acknowledge and memorialize past atrocities or injustices. Its primary focus is not rooted in legalism but in interpretation and memory transmission. Symbolic justice can take many forms – apologies are the most predominant, yet other types include days of remembrance, moments of silence, monuments, memorials, and museums commemorating the victims. These types of actions can have significant symbolic meaning to victimized groups.
This chapter will make the argument that performance of memory actions within both the historical and symbolic categorizations are essential to creating a successful transitional justice program within the Rwanda context. By building upon the above framework, and incorporating research conducted in Rwanda during 2011 (with additional interviews scheduled for 2012). I examine how Rwanda as a state, and Rwandan nationals as independent actors are attempting to come to terms with its past.
In each case study, there is a detailed rundown of the political actions that were attempted to obtain redress and reparation for the victims, of how successful the attempts were, and of the crucial factors which influenced the relative success or failure. Crucially, the volume offers a comparative framework of the actions that contribute to a successful outcome for transitional justice. With the increasing normative expectation of justice in post-conflict situations, this volume is a valuable resource for researchers in international affairs, human rights, political science, and conflict studies."