Talking Point: What Does Justice Look Like?

I was fascinated by the response to the release of the papers by the Hillsborough Independent  Panel and the reaction of people surrounding it.  The events in Sheffield in April 1989 has been described as the greatest sporting tragedy in British history.  Many have spoken of the shame as a country that it has taken so long for these details to finally have emerged after years of campaigning by relatives of the victims of that terrible day.

A theme that has also emerged is one that says that now the truth is out there, the next step is to get justice.  It is understandable that the only course that this can be pursued is through judicial means and the Attorney General has been instructed to consider the matter in the light of the new evidence that has emerged.

What interests me, however, is what does true justice look like?  Is it about individuals being criminally prosecuted?  Is it about institutions being censured, fined and otherwise called to account?  Is that a sufficient expression of justice?

Also, is justice just a matter of what happens to those complicit in perpetrating the crime?  Is there a matter in which justice is as much a matter of the attitude those affected? It’s not an easy matter I broach, but it is a talking point.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd