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 276 - 300 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
19 May 2000 Thousands of Chinese men sue Japanese companies

Thousands of Chinese men sue Japanese companies for using them as forced laborers during World War II and demand an apology.

 Rosenthal, Elisabeth. “Wartime Slaves Use U.S. Law to Sue Japanese.” New York Times. October 2, 2000.
5 June 2000 Chicago’s City Council -reparations for slavery

Chicago’s City Council votes to urge Congress to consider reparations for slavery.

 “Chicago City Council Votes to Urge Congress to Consider Slavery Reparations.” Jet. June 5, 2000.
25 June 2000 Montenegro - Croatia shelling Dubrovnik

Montenegro President Milo Djukanovic asks Croatia to forgive his countrymen for shelling Dubrovnik during the Croatian struggle for independence in 1991.

 “Montenegro Asking Forgiveness From Croatia.” New York Times. June 25, 2000.
4 July 2000 USA sale of slaves

The Hartford Courant newspaper apologizes for having published advertisements for the sale of slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries.

 Zielbauer, Paul. “A Newspaper Apologizes for Salve-Era Ads.” New York Times. July 6, 2000.
14 July 2000 USA-Japan crimes committed by U.S. military personnel

Thomas Foley, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and Lt.- Gen. Earl Hailston, the highest ranking American officer in Japan, apologize to Okinawa Governor Inamine Keiichi for crimes committed by U.S. military personnel in Japan. 

 "Apology Made.” AsiaWeek. July 14, 2000.
19 July 2000 Italy-The Savoys

Italy’s potential crown prince, Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, offers to apologize for the wrongs committed by the Savoys, in an effort to circumvent a 1946 law banning male members from Italy’s former royal family from entering the country.

 “Italy: Princely Offer.” New York Times. July 19, 2000.
24 July 2000 Indonesia apology for dismissing two ministers

In an effort to reduce political tension, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid apologizes for dismissing two ministers in May.

 “Most Indonesian House Factions Accept President’s Apology.” Xinhua News Agency. July 24, 2000.
August 2000 Australia-Aboriginal children who were removed from their families

 Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser calls for a national apology for the "stolen generations,” the one in ten Aboriginal children who were removed from their families between 1920 and 1971 in a government effort to "civilize" them by assimilation into white society.

 “The Stolen Generation.” Time. October 2, 2000.
24 August 2000 Russia-Kursk submarine accident

Russian President Vladimir Putin expresses a "great feeling of guilt and responsibility" for the Kursk submarine accident, in which all 118 sailors aboard died, essentially apologizing for the way the tragedy was handled.

 Fennell, Tom. “Tragedy and Anger.” Maclean’s. September 4, 2000.
25 August 2000 Zimbabwe war veterans accept a government apology

Zimbabwe war veterans accept a government apology for the destruction of their homes in the course of police raids on illegally occupied property.

 “Zimbabwe War Veterans Accept Government Apology.” Xinhua News Agency. August 25, 2000.
5 September 2000 Canada’s Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and United churches apologize to Eskimos

September 5, 2000:  Canada’s Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, and United churches apologize to Eskimos and Indians for decades of abuse by white church officials.

 “Canada: Plea For Forgiveness.” New York Times. September 5, 2000.
8 September 2000 USA- forced relocation of Indians and broken treaties and promises

During a celebration of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs’ 175th year anniversary, Interior Department assistant secretary Kevin Gover apologizes on behalf of the bureau to American Indians for its past actions, including the forced relocation of Indians and broken treaties and promises.

 Stout, David. “No Place for John Wayne at Indian Bureau.” New York Times. September 22, 2000. See also Stout, David. “An Apology and a Milestone at Indian Bureau.” New York Times. September 9, 2000.
8 September 2000 USA apology to North Korea on search in the Frankfurt airport.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright sends a letter of apology to North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun, expressing America's regret that North Korea's second in command, Kim Yong Nam, canceled plans of the 15 member North Korean delegation to attend a summit of 160 world leaders in New York after being asked to be searched in the Frankfurt airport.

 “U.S. apology mends N. Korea relations.” United Press International. September 11, 2000.
14 September 2000 USA apologizes to Wen Ho Lee, an Chinese-American nuclear scientist

U.S. district Judge James A. Parker apologizes to Wen Ho Lee, an Chinese-American nuclear scientist at the Los Alamos National Laboratory who was held for nine months on suspicion of giving secrets to China before the government’s controversial case against him unraveled.

 Sterngold, James. “Nuclear scientist set free after plea in secrets case.” New York Times. September 14, 2000.
16 September 2000 Japan-women forced into brothels in World War II.

Fifteen women announce plans for a class-action lawsuit against Japan for being forced into brothels in World War II.

 “15 to Sue Japan in U.S. Over Sex Slavery.” New York Times. September 16, 2000.
15 October 2000 Chinese- Japan war atrocities

At a meeting in Tokyo, Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji says China still feels that Japan has never properly apologized for its war atrocities but says it is Japan’s problem to decide whether and how to atone for its past.

 French, Howard W. “China’s Premier, on Japan visit, Wears a Friendly Face.” New York Times. October 16, 2000.
6 November 2000 China -Cambodia the Khmer Rouge

China issues a statement saying it will not apologize to Cambodia for supporting the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979.

 China Says It Won’t Apologize For Supporting the Khmer Rouge.” New York Times. November 7, 2000.
7 November 2000 Finland apologizes to the Jewish community

 Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen of Finland apologizes to the Jewish community for the extradition of eight Jews to Germany in 1942.

 “Finland: Apology To Jews.” New York Times. November 7, 2000.
10 November 2000 President Mugabe-people of Matabeleland 20,000 civilians were killed in the course of an army crackdown

The Movement for Democratic Change, a group opposed to Zimbabwe President Mugabe, asks him to publicly apologize to the people of Matabeleland and the Midlands (and to initiate an affirmative action program to benefit the two regions) for atrocities committed by state agents in the 1980s, when 20,000 civilians were killed in the course of an army crackdown on armed rebels.

 “MDC Demands Official Apology For Mat, Midlands Atrocities.” Africa News Service. November 10, 2000.
December 2000 Harvard University -Dismissing Professor Raymond Ginger

Harvard University apologizes for dismissing Professor Raymond Ginger in 1954, when he would not say whether he was a member of the Communist Party.

 Cox, Ana Marie. “Harvard acknowledges ‘regret’ for dismissal of professor in 1954.” Chronicle of Higher Education. April 13, 2001.
9 December 2000 The Israeli Army apologizes to American freelance photographer Yola Monakhov

The Israeli Army apologizes to American freelance photographer Yola Monakhov, who was shot by an Israeli soldier in Bethlehem in November.  The army says the shooter and his commanders will be punished for violating the army's standing prohibition against using live ammunition except when facing immediate mortal danger.

 Sontag, Deborah. “Israel: army apology.” New York Times. December 9, 2000.
14 December 2000 Afrikaner academics- call for South Africa whites to apologize for apartheid

Afrikaner academics and professionals, calling themselves the Group of 63, distance themselves from the call for South Africa whites to apologize for apartheid.  The group says that while South Africa needs a political solution to its racial problems, personalizing the problem by seeking an apology is not appropriate.

 “Elite Afrikaner Group Distances Itself From Apartheid Apology.” Africa News Service. December 15, 2001.
16 December 2000 White South Africans- Present a declaration indicating that they benefitted under apartheid

On Reconciliation Day, white South Africans present a declaration indicating that they benefitted under apartheid.

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p165.
22 December 2000 USA- South Korea shooting of civilians at No Gun Ri in the Korean War

The Clinton administration decides not to issue a formal apology to South Korea regarding the shooting of civilians at No Gun Ri in the Korean War. (Korean demonstrators demanded an apology in October, 1999.) 

 “No Formal Apology by the U.S. For Korean War Civilian Deaths.” New York Times. December 22, 2000.
3 February 2001 Armenia wants only an apology from Turkey

 Armenian President Robert Kocharyan says he wants only an apology and not necessarily compensation from Turkey for the genocide of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915.

 “Armenia Seeks Simple Apology.” APS Diplomat Recorder. February 3, 2001.

Pages