Abstract

"Chapter 1 will set the theoretical foundation on RJ that will inform the rest of the study. The Chapter will look at the different spheres in which RJ is defined: international level; local practice; and theory. The Chapter will engage with the main debates regarding the notion of RJ. I will put the focus on the debates that can be of relevance to assess the compatibility of restorative justice and the relevant international human rights law standards. Given that the research's objective is to assess the compatibility of RJ practices with IHRL standards linked with criminal responsibility, the chapter will systematise RJ practices based on their relationship with State criminal justice. Three categories will be created: (1) the stand-alone model. It refers to restorative justice practice as a stand-alone mechanism with no criminal justice system response on the side; (2) the hybrid model, referring to restorative justice and the criminal justice process work together with different communication options; (3) the unified model which means that restorative justice as a framework is mixed with the criminal justice framework. The categories will be crossed with further selected criteria that have an impact on the assessment of the practices with regards the IHRL framework. Therefore, sub-models will be created within each category. Chapter 1 will identify potential IHRL issues that may arise regarding standards linked with criminal responsibility to set the ground for Chapter 2."

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