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 376 - 400 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
30 December 2002 Ivory Coast apologize for firing on French troops near Duekoke

 Leaders of a rebel group in Ivory Coast apologize for firing on French troops near Duekoke.

 “Rebel Apology To French Unit In Ivory Coast.” New York Times. December 21, 2002.
8 January 2003 South Carolina Governor apologizes for the states past sterilization program

South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges apologizes for the states past sterilization program.

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p161.
23 January 2003 Two U.S. pilots apologize to the family members of four Canadian soldiers mistakenly killed

Two U.S. pilots apologize to the family members of four Canadian soldiers mistakenly killed in an air strike in Afghanistan in 2002.

 Halbfinger, David. “Pilots Apologize to Relatives of Canadians They Bombed.” New York Times. January 24, 2003.
27 January 2003 The USA- South Korea American U-2 spy plane crash in South Korea

The U.S. apologizes to people injured when an American U-2 spy plane crashed in South Korea.

 “U.S. apologizes to spy plane crash victims.” www.cnn.com. January 27, 2003.
30 January 2003 Cambodia - compensation to Thailand for a riot that damaged the Thai embassy

Cambodia apologizes and promises to pay compensation to Thailand for a riot that damaged the Thai embassy and Thai-owned businesses in Phnom Penh.  Several days late, the Thai king accepts the apology.

 “Cambodia Apologizes to Thailand Over Riot. New York Times. January 31, 2003; Mydans, Seth. “Thailand: Apologies From Cambodia Accepted.’ New York Times. February 5, 2003.
4 February 2003 Gypsy organizations -I.B.M. alleged automation of the Holocaust

 A Swiss court clears the way for a lawsuit by Gypsy organizations against I.B.M. for allegedly helping to automate the Holocaust.

 Green, Pater. “Gypsies’ Suit Against I.B.M. Is Given Green Light by Swiss Court.” New York Times. February 5, 2003.
11 February 2003 British Columbia apologizes for its past treatment of Indians

British Columbia apologizes for its past treatment of Indians. 

 “British Columbia Apologizes to Its Indians.” New York Times. February 12, 2003.
14 February 2003 South Korea- permitting illegal payments to North Korea

 South Korean President Kim Dae Jung apologizes for permitting illegal payments to North Korea in advance of a summit in 2000.

 “S. Korea’s Kim apologizes for cash scandal.” Philadelphia Inquirer. February 14, 2003.
22 February 2003 Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pardons five Jews

 Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pardons five Jews jailed for spying for Israel.

 “Iran Pardons Five Jews Jailed as Spies.” New York Times. February 22, 2003.
25 February 2003 USA Not proud of Pinochet coup

 U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says that encouraging the 1973 coup in Chile that overthrew Salvador Allende and brought Augusto Pinochet to power was “not a part of American history that we are proud of.”  The current socialist government of Chile welcomed the statement. 

 Rohter, Larry. “Chile: Powel comment on coup welcomed.” New York Times. February 25, 2003.
27 February 2003 Hyundai apologizes for secretly sending $500 million to North Korea

Hyundai apologizes for secretly sending $500 million to North Korea in an effort to win contracts.

 “Hyundai Sorry for Paying North Korea.” New York Times. February 17, 2003. pA8.
March 2003 The Tulsa Race Riot Commission ends its investigation

The Tulsa Race Riot Commission ends its investigation of a 1921 race riot that killed some 300 African-Americans.  Instead of restitution, survivors receive medals.

 Staples, Brent. “Coming to Grips With the Unthinkable in Tulsa.” New York Times. 3/16/03.
4 March 2003 Algeria- France - Reconciliation

After a speech at the Algerian parliament, in a gesture of reconciliation, French President Jacques Chirac shakes hands with two Algerian heroes of the 1957 Battle of Algiers.

 Sciolino, Elaine. “Chirac Sees New Day for France and Algeria.” New York Times. March 24, 2003.
4 March 2003 The Israeli army expresses regret for the death of a pregnant mother

The Israeli army expresses regret for the death of a pregnant mother who was killed when the adjacent residence in Gaza was demolished

 Bennett, James. “Israeli Raid Snares A Foe, but Leaves Family Motherless.” New York Times. March 4, 2003.
8 March 2003 A judicial panel orders Bosnia’s Serb Republic to pay more than $2 million in compensation

A judicial panel orders Bosnia’s Serb Republic to pay more than $2 million in compensation for the massacre of 7,500 Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995.

 Simpson, Daniel. “Bosnian Serbs Told to pay $2 Million for Srebrenica Massacre.” New York Times. March 8, 2003.
11 March 2003 California apologizes for the state’s past sterilization program

California Governor Gray Davis apologizes for the state’s past sterilization program.

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p161.
19 March 2003 French Jew whose parents were deported to a Nazi death camp sues France’s national railroad company

 In France, an Austrian-born French Jew whose parents were deported to a Nazi death camp sues France’s national railroad company for 1 Euro and demands that it acknowledge the role it played in sending tens of thousands of French Jews to their deaths in World War II.

 Riding, Alan. “Nazis’ Human Cargo Now Haunts French Railway.” New York Times. March 20, 2003.
22 March 2003 South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivers its final findings,

South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission delivers its final findings, warning against a blanket amnesty and advocating reparations for apartheid.

 Thompson, Ginger. “South African Commission Ends its Work.” New York Times. 3/22/03.
26 March 2003 Japan- South Korean women seeking compensation for being forced into sexual slavery

Japan’s top court rejects an appeal from South Korean women seeking compensation for being forced into sexual slavery in World War II.

 “Japan: Court Rejects Claims Of Wartime Sex Slaves.” New York Times. March 26, 2003.
April 2003 Brown University President Ruth Simmons directs the university to study whether it should pay reparations for its role in slavery

 Brown University President Ruth Simmons directs the university to study whether it should pay reparations for its role in slavery.

 Fitzgerald, Frances. “Peculiar Institutions.” New Yorker Magazine. 9/12/05.
1 April 2003 Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy apologizes to cadets

The outgoing superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy apologizes to cadets for the damage done to the institution by a scandal involving sexual assaults of female cadets.

 Janofsky, Michael. “Academy’s Top General Apologizes to Cadets.” New York Times. April 1, 2003.
4 April 2003 South Africa-Apartheid Employees sue for $6.1 billion

 Former employees of mining companies in South Africa sue for $6.1 billion, alleging mistreatment under apartheid.

 “Workers Sue Companies Over Apartheid.” New York Times. 4/6/03/
9 April 2003 A victim of sexual abuse by Irish Catholic clergy settles a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese

 A victim of sexual abuse by Irish Catholic clergy settles a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese in a deal that calls for a public apology.

 Lavery, Brian. “Church to Pay $323,000 and Apologize in Irish Sex Abuse Case.” New York Times. April 10, 2003.
16 April 2003 South African President Thabo Mbeki says the country will pay $85 million in reparations to 19,000 victims of apartheid crimes

South African President Thabo Mbeki says the country will pay $85 million in reparations to 19,000 victims of apartheid crimes who testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

 Thompson, Ginger. “South Africa to Pay $3,900 to Each Family of Apartheid Victims.” New York Times. 4/16/03.
19 April 2003 After pleading guilty to conspiracy charges in New York, a former Al Qaeda operative from Sudan issues a letter of apology

After pleading guilty to conspiracy charges in New York, a former Al Qaeda operative from Sudan issues a letter of apology.

 Weiser, Benjamin. “After Trial, Operative Offered Judge an Apology and a Blessing.” New York Times. April 19, 2003.

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