Justice or peace?

So here’s a philisophical issue for you.

A nation is experiencing a terrorism campaign. Hundreds, thousands, die. The government cannot stop it, no matter what extreme measures it takes. It uses expanded police, no effect. It then uses army curfews, no effect. It then send military special forces to commit targeted extrajudicial executions of terrorist leaders, but there is no effect, new leaders pop up. It then sets up shadow terrorist organization to commit terrorist actions against the other terrorists and their families and children, but no effect.

Finally the terrorists are worn out and are willing to negotiate, and a compromise is achieved. The terrorists disarm, their leaders join the political mainstream. Leaders in jail are given amnesties for the crimes they were convicted for. The terrorists leaders then take part in the democratic process, they become advocates for peace, and the country experiences two decades of peace.

Then, new evidence emerges which ties the leader of the group to a murder committed 25 years previously as part of the old terrorist campaign. Police arrest him and start a new investigation. His former colleagues warn that unless he is released, the old campaign that cost so many lives could resume.

In this case, what is the right thing to do? Is justice for one death worth pursuing at the cost of conflict and hundreds or thousands of more deaths? Or should past crimes be forgiven in pursuit of national reconciliation?

Re: Justice or peace?

Gerry Adams?

In your hypothetical question, there is no right answer.

Re: Justice or peace?

Depends, are the former terrorists going to use that excuse any time they are opposed?

Re: Justice or peace?

Let’s say they use that every time there is an effort to put one of their leaders on trial for any of the terrorist attacks they they.


This justice vs peace issue is actually an ancient conundrum. It was also the root cause of the Battle of Siffin, where the relatives of Hazrat Uthman (ra) believed that Hazrat Ali (ra) was not delivering justice for the assassination, whereas Hazrat Ali (ra) recognised that a witchhunt to bring the conspirators to justice would lead to further, continued bloodshed.

Re: Justice or peace?

I would say that justice for one death is not worth pursuing at the cost of hundreds or thousands of other deaths.

Re: Justice or peace?

Justice for one death against another death is supposed to be the alright thing to do then?

Re: Justice or peace?

Would you advocate the death of many as you seek justice for one?

Re: Justice or peace?

I wouldn’t. Just as I wouldn’t advocate the death of one for another.

Re: Justice or peace?

Then there’s your answer.
Nobody here is advocating the death of one for another.

Re: Justice or peace?

Fine me some shiney’s, whatever you say.

Re: Justice or peace?

bump!