Political Apologies
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.
| Date of Apology | Title | Summary | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 November 2006 | Chile- Augusto Pinochet accepts responsibility for wrongs |
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet accepts responsibility for wrongs committed during his 18-year rule. |
“Pinochet ‘takes responsibility.’” www.bbc.com. November 25, 2006. |
| 25 February 2007 | USA-Virginia state’s role in slavery |
Virginia’s state legislature passes a resolution expressing “profound regret” over the state’s role in slavery. |
Maryland issues apology for its role in slavery.” Associated Press. March 27, 2007. |
| 1 March 2007 | Japan-women were forced into military brothels across Asia during World War II |
In a reversal of Japan’s acknowledgement of wrongdoing in 1993, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe denies that women were forced into military brothels across Asia during World War II. |
Mizoguchi, Kozo. “WWII comfort women weren’t sex slaves: Japan.” Montreal Gazette. March 2, 2007. |
| 19 March 2007 | USA politicized firing of eight federal attorneys in 2006 |
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales apologizes for the politicized firing of eight federal attorneys in 2006. |
Eggen, Dan. “Gonzales issues mea culpa.” Montreal Gazette. March 19, 2007. |
| 25 March 2007 | British- Prime Minister Tony Blair to urged to apologize |
The Archbishop of York (England) urges British Prime Minister Tony Blair to apologize – not merely express sorrow and regret – for Britain’s role in slavery. |
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| 26 March 2007 | Britain “deep sorrow and regret” for Britain’s role in slavery |
U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair expresses “deep sorrow and regret” for Britain’s role in slavery. |
Ward, David. “Archbishop of York urges PM to apologise for slavery.” The Guardian. March 26, 2007. |
| 27 March 2007 | Japan apologizes for the use of sexual slavery |
After weeks of criticism for refusing to acknowledge that Japan forced some 200,000 women from Korean and China to serve in military brothels in World War II (even though Japan had apologized for this in 1993), Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe apologizes for the use of sexual slavery. |
“Japan: PM sorry for sex slaves.” Montreal Gazette. March 27, 2007. pA15. |
| 27 March 2007 | USA-Maryland’s state legislature issues an apology for slavery |
Maryland’s state legislature issues an apology for slavery |
“Maryland issues apology for its role in slavery.” Associated Press. March 27, 2007. |
| 28 March 2007 | Canada-settlement with survivors of Indian residential schools |
The Canadian government announces that it will not include an apology in its settlement with survivors of Indian residential schools. |
Curry, Bill. “No residential school apology, Tories say.” Globe and Mail. March 27, 2007. |
| 28 March 2007 | Queen Elizabeth - apology for slavery |
At a service to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain’s abolishment of the slave trade, a protestor approaches Queen Elizabeth and demands that she personally apologize for slavery. |
Millard, Robin. “Abolition Service Disrupted.” Montreal Gazette. 3/28/07. |
| 30 March 2007 | U.S. - veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center |
U.S. President George W. Bush apologizes for bad conditions and the neglect of veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. |
Loven, Jennifer. “Bush apologizes for hospital mess.” Montreal Gazette. March 31, 2007. |
| 24 April 2007 | USA - Slavery |
The Alabama state House and Senate pass resolutions expressing regret for slavery. |
“Senate, House pass slavery-apology resolutions.” The Birmingham News. April 24, 2007. |
| 2 May 2007 | Canada apology for abuses at Indian residential schools. |
The Canadian House of Commons unanimously endorses a motion to apologize for abuses at Indian residential schools. (Conservatives reversed their previous refusal to apologize.) |
Samyn, Paul. “All parties endorse apology for residential-school abuse.” Montreal Gazette. 5/2/07. |
| 23 May 2007 | Pope Benedict- “unjustified crimes” committed during colonization |
Pope Benedict acknowledged that “unjustified crimes” were committed during colonization in the Americas, but he stopped short of apologizing. |
Stewart, Phil. “Pope acknowledges colonial injustice in Americas.” Montreal Gazette. May 24, 2007. |
| 3 July 2007 | NATO expresses regret for the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan |
NATO expresses regret for the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan. |
Blanchfield, Mike. “NATO regrets civilian deaths.” Montreal Gazette. July 4, 2007. |
| 8 July 2007 | France- traditional Bastille Day pardon of prisoners. |
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will not issue a traditional Bastille Day pardon of prisoners. |
Balmer, Crispian. “No getting out of Bastille this year.” Montreal Gazette. July 9, 2007. |
| 15 July 2007 | Israel offers amnesty to 180 Fatah militants after they pledge to end attacks |
Israel offers amnesty to 180 Fatah militants after they pledge to end attacks. |
Entous, Adam. “Israel offers amnesty to Fatah militants.” Montreal Gazette. July 16, 2007. |
| 15 July 2007 | USA- sexual abuse by Catholic priests |
U.S. Cardinal Roger Mahony apologizes for sexual abuse by Catholic priests and agrees to pay $660 million to the victims. |
Milliken, Mary. “Church to pay $660 million to abuse victims.” Montreal Gazette. July 16, 2007. |
| 29 August 2007 | The U.S. military- seizing 8 Iranians in Iraq |
The U.S. military expresses regret for seizing 8 Iranians in Iraq. |
Deshmukh, Jay. “U.S. ‘regrets’ seizing 8 Iranians in Iraq.” Montreal Gazette. August 30, 2007. |
| 31 August 2007 | Virginia Governor pardons leader of slave revolt |
Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine posthumously pardons Gabriel Prosser for leading a failed salve rebellion in 1800. |
Associated Press. “Slave who led failed revolt in 1800 ‘pardoned.’” NBC News. August 31, 2007 |
| 12 September 2007 | 1857 Mountain Meadows massacre of 120 unarmed immigrants in Utah-Mormons |
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) issues an apology for the 1857 Mountain Meadows massacre of 120 unarmed immigrants in Utah. |
Moore, Carrie A. “LDS Church issues apology over Mountain Meadows.” Desert News. September 12, 2007. |
| 20 September 2007 | Germany will pay $2,800 in compensation to 50,000 Jews |
Germany says it will pay $2,800 in compensation to 50,000 Jews who were forced to work by the Nazis but who did not qualify for payouts under a previous fund for former slave laborers. |
“Pay for ghetto work.” Montreal Gazette. September 20, 2007. pA19. |
| 18 October 2007 | U.S. issues apologizes to Canadian Maher Arar |
At a congressional hearing, individual members of the U.S. Congress issue apologizes to Canadian Maher Arar for his rendition to Syria and denounce the Bush administration’s refusal to apologize |
Alberts, Sheldon. “House members say sorry to Arar.” Montreal Gazette. October 19, 2007. |
| 31 October 2007 | Spain passes historical memory law. |
Spain passes a “law of historical memory” to help support the documentation and commemoration of mass graves of some one hundred thousand people killed during the rein of Francisco Franco |
Hancox, Dan. “The Ghosts Spain Tries to Ignore.” New York Times. December 8, 2016. |
| 3 November 2007 | Canada- radiation during atomic testing in the 1950s |
Canadian veterans who were exposed to radiation during atomic testing in the 1950s criticize the Canadian federal government’s offer of $24,000 in compensation per victim, pointing to a similar redress in the U.S. that gave payments of $75,000 in the 1980s. |
Pugliese, David. “Vets exposed to atomic tests scoff at federal offer.” Montreal Gazette. November 3, 2007. |