Grazia Mannozzi and the European Forum for Restorative Justice are pleased to share the first English translation of Italy’s landmark Legislative Decree 150/2022 on Restorative Justice (the Cartabia Reform), thanks to the collaborative effort of professors and students at the University of Insubria (Como, Italy). The translation of this decree, which is now in its implementation phase, significantly improves access to a key piece of legislation that establishes a unified definition of restorative justice whilst broadening access to services across the Italian jurisdiction. The translation creates opportunities for international restorative justice institutions, policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to engage with the valuable insights within this legislation.

Spain is facing a now or never moment for achieving equal access to restorative justice across the country. Where the Autonomous Communities have particularly sophisticated restorative justice frameworks in place, the rest of the country has much more restricted access, and the ability to participate in restorative justice in Spain currently depends on the region in which the crime has taken place. However, a new law introducing restorative justice into the criminal procedure code offers a critical opportunity to end this inequality. EFRJ board member Jorge Ollero Perán explains the significance of this opportunity, offering practical recommendations to ensure that this new law is implemented effectively, embedding high quality restorative justice services across the country.

The article is available in Spanish and English

In the Basque Country, a range of restorative practices have emerged as powerful tools for facilitating coexistence. In the aftermath of decades of violence, the distinct absence of a formal transitional justice framework has left Basque society with the challenge of confronting cultural and institutional silence, preserving and constructing collective memory, and (re)building social connections at the local and grassroots levels. In this article, based on research into how practitioners navigate the unique Basque peacebuilding context, Jesse Laurie explores the emergence and impact of these restorative justice initiatives, and the vital contribution they make to the broader landscape of peace and coexistence.

Voluntariness is a core principle of restorative justice. No one should ever be required to participate in a restorative justice process, yet it is also important that no one is prevented from accessing it. This also applies to individuals involved in political violence and extremism.

Recently, Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving perpetrator of the 2015 Paris attacks, expressed his wish to participate in a restorative justice process, sparking a heated media debate. EFRJ Board Member Antonio Buonatesta, shares his reflections on this debate, and outlines why victims of terrorism must be given the choice to participate in restorative justice, should they feel it is right for them.

The article is available in English and French

 A new soft law document entitled ‘Common Ibero-American Rules on Restorative Juvenile Criminal Justice’ was adopted by an Ibero-American alliance for justice made up of five justice actors and networks, marking a significant step forward for restorative justice in the juvenile sector across the region.

The document works to establish a set of common guidelines for policy development, enacting regulations, and strengthening access to and the application of alternative justice measures, using the restorative justice model as a general framework. This article by Silvana Greco Marianela and Marianela Otero provides an overview of the inner workings of this document and the importance of its adoption. 

The article is available in English and Spanish.

In September, the first thematic GREVIO (the Group of Experts on Action against Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence) evaluation report was published, containing an explicit recommendation on the use of restorative justice in domestic violence cases. In this article, Noemie Micoulet examines the implication of these recommendations in the French context, where many domestic violence victims currently experience a significant lack of judicial and response and support. Where restorative justice is often conflated with criminal mediation, Noemie outlines important distinctions between the two processes, and explains how, with important safeguarding measures in place, restorative justice can align with the Istanbul convention to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of women who have experienced domestic violence. This article is available in both English and French. 

European Forum for Restorative Justice vzw
Herbert Hooverplein 10, Leuven 3000, BE
RPR Leuven
Company number: 0474 656 137
euforumrj.org