Sapan discussion: Restorative Justice: for Peace, Truth and Reconciliation with Ela Gandhi
Channel: Southasia Peace Action Network
Date: 2023-06-25

A groundbreaking discussion exploring the call to transition from a retributive justice model to a restorative justice approach. Can societies move beyond the narrow focus on punishment and prioritise healing and reconciliation within and between countries?

The featured speaker*, social worker and activist Ela Gandhi in South Africa is a former two-time parliamentarian representing the ANC. She was a member of the inter-party Justice Portfolio Committee that drafted the Truth and Reconciliation legislation. A renowned activist in her own right, she is also a granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi. 

In 1993, her second son was killed at his home in Durban by assailants whose identity and motivation remains unknown. Hear what she would say to them and how she'd want them to be treated.

Discussants include Sri Lankan human-rights advocate Ambika Satkunanathan; Nepali journalist and democracy activist Kanak Mani Dixit. Bhutanese human-rights activist Suraj Budathoki was unable to join due to a family emergency but sent in a moving little video message.

Indian economist, researcher and musician Sumangala Damodaran presented a cultural performance including some moving stories about her association with Safdar Hashmi, illustrating the power of song. 

Acclaimed feminist Khawar ‘Rani’ Mumtaz in Lahore delivered closing remarks.

Event agenda:
1. Welcome: Shailaja Rao, Sapan member, activist
2. Sapan Founding Charter reading: Shahidul Alam, Sapan member, Bangladeshi photographer
3. In Memoriam: Sara Arshad, Sapan member,  Fauzia Deeba, Sapan members, activists
4. Discussion: Moderator: Beena Sarwar, Sapan founder-curator, journalist
Featured speaker: Ela Gandhi, Former parliamentarian, South Africa 
Discussants 
· Suraj Budathoki, human-rights activist, Bhutan/USA (unable to join due to family emergency, sent a brief video)
· Ambika Satkunanathan, lawyer, Sri Lanka
· Kanak Mani Dixit, journalist, Nepal
5. Music Presentation: Sumangala Damodaran, development economist, researcher, musician
6. Closing remarks: Khawar Mumtaz, Sapan member, activist

* Speaker bios and agenda at this link: https://bit.ly/Spn25JnSpkrs

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