RJ Week 2025: Restorative Justice as a human right
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.
It’s Restorative Justice Week 2025!
This year, the theme is Restorative Justice as a human right, under the title ‘From question to principle: Embedding Restorative Justice in human rights’. This is a chance to explore what a new human right could look like, what the implications would be if it was in place and how it could be made a reality.
Why should it be a human right?
At the moment in the UK, Restorative Justice is a right under the Victims Code of Practice, but it is not a human right. The Victims’ Code entitlement is a good first step, ensuring that victims of crime have the right to information on Restorative Justice and a referral to a Restorative Justice service. However, the vast majority of people affected by crime are left unable to access these rights as they are never told about their entitlements, what Restorative Justice is, or how it could benefit them.
A human right would provide multiple benefits:
Symbolism – By signifying that Restorative Justice is a key entitlement, many more people will be able to access it. Institutions like the police, courts and probation services will also be more likely to adhere to making the offer if it was a human right.
Enforceability – Unlike the Victims’ Code, a human right would be more legally enforceable, and failure to adhere to it could lead to legal action.
Global reach – The Victims’ Code is only applicable in England and Wales, with other countries having varying integration of Restorative Justice in their own justice systems. A human right would reach beyond individual jurisdictions.
What would this look like?
There are two key ways that Restorative Justice could be incorporated into human rights.
- It could be used to ensure that existing rights, particularly the criminal justice-based rights, are enforceable – e.g. helping to uphold the right to a fair trial or the right to an effective remedy. Restorative Justice can also be used to address violations of existing human rights such as the right to life, liberty and security and the right to property.
- It could become a human right in itself, giving people the right to access Restorative Justice.
The European Forum for Restorative Justice, in collaboration with a range of organisations including Why me?, have published a new manifesto outlining our call. If you believe that Restorative Justice should be a human right, please add your name to the manifesto.
What do people who have been through Restorative Justice think?
We asked our Ambassadors, who have all been through the Restorative Justice process after being harmed by crime, what they thought about Restorative Justice being a human right.
“For me, Restorative Justice created a space where pain could be acknowledged and responsibility owned, and that shifted everything. It didn’t erase the harm, but it helped to humanise the experience and allowed me to move forward without being defined by it.
Everyone impacted by serious harm should have the option to engage with Restorative Justice, and they should be supported if they choose to do so. The fact that something so potentially life-changing is still seen as optional, peripheral, or dependent on postcode is unacceptable.
That’s why I believe Restorative Justice must be recognised as a human right. It speaks directly to dignity, voice, accountability, and the right to rebuild one’s life. In a justice system so often focused on punishment, RJ offers a way to centre the humanity of both victims and offenders. It is not a soft alternative — it is a courageous one. And making it a right would send a clear message: that people matter more than process, and that healing is as worthy a goal as justice.” – Sheldon
“I do think RJ should be made available to more people. It gave me a chance to be heard, to ask questions, and to express how the harm affected me. That’s something many victims don’t always get in traditional processes. It also helped create understanding and accountability in a way that felt more personal and healing. Not every case may be right for RJ, but people should at least have the option. It can be a powerful tool for both victims and offenders to move forward with more clarity and closure.
I believe Restorative Justice should be considered a human right, or at the very least, a right people can choose to access. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard, to ask questions, and to seek understanding and healing—especially after being harmed. Traditional systems don’t always give that space. RJ gives people dignity and choice. Making it a right would ensure more people, especially victims, are given the option to take part in a process that focuses on healing, not just punishment.” – Will
“I believe that Restorative Justice should be available for ALL victims of crime, none should be exempt. It should absolutely be ‘victim led’, and whether or not it is immediately employed by the victim, the option should forever be available as and when its necessary. My belief is the RJ should be a Human Right and be available for whenever the victim is ‘ready’ to use it. In my own case, I was 14 when the crime was committed, I probably would have refused RJ if it were available at that time, due to my ‘loyalty’ for my father. However, as time went on and I began to realise the magnitude of ‘his’ crime, I most definitely would have taken full advantage of RJ.” – Wendy
“I never expected to take part in Restorative Justice. In fact I only heard about it by chance when I was visiting HMP Grendon for a parole hearing for one of the offenders who murdered my twin brother, Simon. A prison official while we were waiting in one of the rooms by chance mentioned RJ to me and I was immediately curious. It came at a time 15 or so years after the crime when I was beginning to think quite differently. Then later that same day seeing Craig in the hearing – the offender who I later met through RJ a year or so later – sowed a seed in me. He was crying and was deeply emotional in the hearing and I felt there was a lot unspoken that needed to be said. Craig and I luckily “synchronized” as he too had been going through classes and exercises in HMP Grendon that explored Restorative Justice. An exceedingly rare and lucky connection for us both in my view.
We all recognise that Restorative Justice needs to have more reach in the criminal justice system. It has to get more deeply embedded than it is currently. My lived experience is testament to the power of its healing and how it can help victims as well as offenders, though it needs careful management and support, as badly timed or poorly facilitated it could cause harm. Should it be made a human right? Yes, I think so. If it becomes a human right then I would assume this means it becomes more embedded in legislation and hence then better supported, resourced, funded and centrally managed – this can only be a good thing. I sense in the UK Restorative Justice is still quite fragmented and of course under-funded. Organisations such as Why me? are doing an amazing job in making changes here. We must continue to share our experiences so that others are encouraged to take it up.” – Nick
“My name is Andy and in January of 2019, I tragically lost my youngest son in a road traffic accident caused by a man who was driving a heavy goods vehicle and using his phone at the time. When we went to court, we were unable to get many of our unanswered questions resolved and so after much deliberation, I decided that when RJ was offered to me, I would take part so I could get the answers I so desperately needed.
RJ should be made a human right – everyone should have the ability to access justice and be given the truth regardless if they are the victim or the perpetrator.” – Andy
This testimony will all be included in the ‘Restorative Justice as a human right’ magazine, created by the European Forum for Restorative Justice’s Communications Committee, chaired by Why me?’s Keeva Baxter. This magazine will be made available on the International Day of Human Rights, on the 10th of December.
What do you think about Restorative Justice being a human right? How would that impact you and your work? Let us know at info@why-me.org!