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 601 - 625 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
20 October 2011 Guatemala apologizes for 1954 CIA-engineered coup against democratically-elected President Jacobo Arbenz

The Guatemalan government apologizes for 1954 CIA-engineered coup against democratically-elected President Jacobo Arbenz.

 “Guatemala to apologize for coup.” Montreal Gazette. October 20, 2011.
23 November 2011 Turkey apologizes for the killing of 14,000 Kurds in the 1930s

 Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey apologizes for the killing of 14,000 Kurds in the 1930s.

 Arsu, Sebnem. “Turkey” Apology for ‘30s Massacres.” New York Times. November 23, 2011.
4 December 2011 USA deaths of two dozen Pakistani soldiers killed in NATO airstrikes

 U.S. President Barack Obama expresses condolences, but not a formal apology, for the deaths of two dozen Pakistani soldiers killed in NATO airstrikes along the Afghan border.

 Cushman, John H., Jr. “Obama Offers ‘Condolences’ in Deaths of Pakistani Troops. New York Times. December 4, 2011.
8 December 2011 Japan apologizes for the mistreatment of captured Canadian soldiers during World War II.

The Japanese government apologizes for the mistreatment of captured Canadian soldiers during World War II.

 Abma, Derek. “Japan apologizes for PoW treatment.” Montreal Gazette. December 9, 2011.
9 December 2011 Netherlands Indonesia apologizes for the 1947 Rawagede massacre

 The Dutch ambassador to Indonesia apologizes for the 1947 Rawagede massacre, building upon the expression of regret three years earlier.

 “Dutch apology for 1947 Indonesia massacre at Rawagede.” www.bbc.com. December 9, 2011.
15 December 2011 Guatemala President apologizes for massacre.

Guatemalan President Álvaro Colom accepts government responsibility and makes a formal apology for the massacre of hundreds of villagers in Dos Erres in 1982.

 “Guatemalan President Colom apologises for 1982 massacre.” BBC News. December 15, 2011.
17 January 2012 El Salvador President apologizes for victim of massacre.

In El Salvador, on the twentieth anniversary of the peace agreement, then President Mauricio Funes recognizes the state’s responsibility for the 1981 massacre in El Mozote, presents a list of the victims, and apologizes to victims on behalf of the state

 “El Salvador head apologises for 1981 El Mozote massacre.” BBC News. January 17, 2012
18 January 2012 Bulgaria condemns the country’s policy of assimilating ethnic Turks

 The Bulgarian parliament adopts a resolution condemning the country’s policy of attempting to assimilate ethnic Turks in the 1980s.

 Dimitrova, Svetla. “Bulgaria apologizes to its Turks for ‘Revival Process.” Southeast European Times. January 18, 2012.
27 January 2012 Norway PM apologizes for deporation of Jews.

70 years after the largest deportation of Norwegian Jews from Oslo, the Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, apologizes for the participation of the Norwegian police force in the deportation and for the fact that the event had occurred on Norwegian soil.

 “Norway apologises for deporting Jews during Holocaust.” BBC News. January 27, 2012.
23 February 2012 USA apology to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai for American military personnel burning Korans,

U.S. President Barack Obama sends a letter of apology to Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai for American military personnel burning Korans, which had sparked days of violent protests.

 Rubin, Alissa J. “Obama Sends Apology as Afghan Koran Protests Rage.” New York Times. February 23, 2012.
2 May 2012 China USA. apology for sheltering human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng

 China demands that the U.S. apologize for sheltering human rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng in its embassy in Beijing.

 McDonald, Mark. “China Demands Apology from U.S. New York Times. May 2, 2012.
July 2012 Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights- killings of communists in the 1960s a gross violation of human rights

 Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights declares the mass killings of communists in the 1960s a gross violation of human rights.

 Cochrane, Joe. “’Act of Killing’ Film Fails to Stir Indonesia.” New York Times. March 2, 2014.
3 July 2012 USA apologizes for the deaths of two dozen Pakistani soldiers in American airstrikes eight months ago

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologizes for the deaths of two dozen Pakistani soldiers in American airstrikes eight months ago.  The apology leads to reopening of NATO supply routes into Afghanistan.

 Schmitt, Eric. “Pakistan Opens NATO Supply Line as Clinton Says ‘Sorry.’” New York Times. July 3, 2012.
28 August 2012 Norway PM apologizes for failure to protect citizens.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg apologizes for the failing of the government to protect citizens against the terrorist attack on July 22, 2011 by Anders Breivik. The apology was sparked by the release of the Gjørv Report in August 2012, which scolded the government and law enforcement for their inadequate response

 “Norway PM Jens Stoltenberg ‘sorry’ over Breivik response.” BBC News. August 28, 2012.
4 September 2012 Britain-Murder of 24 unarmed Malayan civilians in 1948

In London, a court rules that Britain was responsible for the murder of 24 unarmed Malayan civilians in 1948 Batang Kali massacre.  The lawyer for the claimants says Britain should apologize.

 2012: In London, a court rules that Britain was responsible for the murder of 24 unarmed Malayan civilians in 1948
12 September 2012 U.K. apology for sports stadium disaster.

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron says he is “profoundly sorry” for the failures that led to the deaths of 96 people who were killed in a crush of spectators at the Hillsborough football stadium in April 1989 and also for attempts to blame fans instead of authorities for the disaster.

 “Hillsborough disaster : David Cameron apologises for ‘double injustice.’” The Guardian. September 12, 2012.
26 September 2012 U.S. apology for migrant ship.

: The U.S. State Department apologizes to survivors of the MS St. Louis, which in 1939 was carrying 937 Jewish refugees from Europe but was denied entry into the U.S. One-third of its passengers then died at Auschwitz.

 Eppinger, Kamrel. “State Department apologizes to Jewish refugees.” Scripps Howard Foundation Wire. September 26, 2012.
19 November 2012 Canada British Columbia-regret the hanging of two First Nations men in 1869

In Canada, the British Columbia government expresses regret for the hanging of two First Nations men in 1869, two years before BC became a province.  Members of the Hesquiaht First Nation responded by forgiving the actions of the colonial government.

 “B.C. regrets 1869 hanging of First Nations men.” Montreal Gazette. November 19, 2012.
20 December 2012 Algeria’ France-France’s colonial rule in Algeria

During a speech at Algeria’s parliament, French President Francois Hollande acknowledges the “profoundly unjust and brutal” nature of France’s colonial rule in Algeria, but he does not offer an apology.

 de la Baume, Maia. “Hollande Uses Softer Tone on Delicate Visit to Algeria.” New York Times. December 20, 2012
6 February 2013 U.K. for hospital failures.

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron apologizes to the families of hundreds patients who suffered neglect and abuse between 2005 and 2009 at Stafford Hospital and pledges to improve patient care and end complacency at the national health service.

 “Mid Staffs scandal: Cameron apologises and vows to tackle NHS ‘complacency.’” The Guardian. February 6, 2013.
19 February 2013 Ireland apology -women who worked without pay in the Magdalene Laundries

Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny apologizes to the thousands of women who worked without pay in the Magdalene Laundries, two weeks after refusing to do so.

 Waterfield, Bruno. “Magdelene survivors receive apology.” Montreal Gazette. February 6, 2013; Associated Press. “Ireland apologizes to women of nun-run laundries.” www.philly.com. February 19, 2013. http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0219/368465-maglalen
20 February 2013 Britain India, -Amritsar

 At the sight of a massacre of hundreds of Sikh civilians by British soldiers in 1919 in Amritsar, India, British Prime Minister David Cameron calls the massacre “a deeply shameful event in British history” but does not offer a formal apology.

 “David Cameron marks British 1919 Amritsar massacre.” www.bbc.com. February 20, 2013.
21 March 2013 Australia- babies for adoption by married couples

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologizes for the government’s policy of forcing unwed mothers to give up their babies for adoption by married couples from the 1950s to the 1970s

 Fox, Andie. “Julia Gillard’s adoption apology comes after an abyss of trauma.” The Guardian. March 22, 2013.
22 March 2013 Israel Turkey apology-deadly 2010 raid on a Turkish ship

 After prodding by U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyio Erdogan to apologize for the deadly 2010 raid on a Turkish ship seeking to bring aide to Palestinians in Gaza.

 Rudoren, Jodi and Mark Landler. “With Obama as Broker, Israelis and Turkey End Dispute.” New York Times. March 22, 2013.
21 April 2013 Turkey Israel- raid on a Turkish flotilla in 2010

 Relatives of nine people killed during an Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla in 2010 indicated that they would reject compensation until Israel removes restrictions on Gaza.

 Arsu, Sebnem and Jodi Rudoren. “Relatives of Flotilla Raid Victims Reject Israeli Compensation.” New York Times. April 21, 2013.

Pages