A long walk for justice

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book recognizes the importance of both retributive and restorative justice practices, but advocates that a more holistic understanding of peacebuilding should transcend dichotomies between these pre-defined categories. Peacebuilding and justice can be exercises of post-colonial thinking. However, even more balanced interpretations of the approaches to peace and justice advanced in the North are unlikely to apply across the South. The promise of peace and justice brought by the transitional justice agreement is tempered by the challenges that lay ahead. Colombia is a country that has sought peace for more than three decades, with multiple attempts involving different actors, approaches, and negotiation schemes, and with differing degrees of success. Inequality and class in Colombia marginalize millions of Colombians on the basis of their accent or skin colour.