(IN)JUSTICE

As our name suggests, injustice and justice are core interwoven aspects of the pursuits undertaken by (In)Justice International. Injustice in its most naked form demonises, oppresses or suppresses the less powerful, those without wealth or individuals lacking education. People who are less physical in nature or are 'different' from the majority (in terms of culture, ethnicity, Indigenous origin, faith, age, gender and/or disability) can, and often are, victims of injustice also. Indeed, manifestations of injustice are graphically enacted by the military assaults on the Rohingya people in Myanmar and the Uyghur in China (to read more click on 'Indigenous Peoples', 'Ethnic Minorities' and 'Refugees'). 

 

Ultimately, though, such injustices can be, and are, the product of neoliberalism and unbridled greed where the pursuit of profit can lead to low, inadequate wages (causing hardship and/or poverty—leading to the use of child labour—amongst labour forces in 'Third (Majority) World' countries), health and safety violations (resulting in injury and ill health) and a complete disregard of environmental destruction/pollution through needless money saving avenues for disposing of hazardous materials. All have catastrophic affects that go far beyond one generation.  In other words, injustice is not just confined to the current generation but is also inflicted upon future generations: especially in relation to climate change (causing extreme and deadly weather variants which the youth of today are not responsible for), air pollution (resulting in respiratory/heart/blood related deaths or disablement) and from the lasting effects of 'man-made' yet avoidable disasters from oil processing/spillages, inefficient disposal of plastic and forestry clearances (click here for more).    

 

On a less visible scale, but no less important, this unjust victimisation can, despite many countries introducing legislation to the contrary, take the discriminatory form of unsolicited abuse, violence or ostracisation from other members of society.  Likewise, institutional discrimination can, intentionally or unintentionally, prevent individuals from their inalienable right to a standard of living and well-being relative to the majority they live alongside.  As with the prejudicial actions enacted by individuals, institutional discrimination is blatantly unjust. Unjust in the respect that food, shelter and security can be denied through ill-conceived or malicious bureaucracy that prevents access to social housing, work in the paid labour market and healthcare free at the point of delivery. And bearing in mind that police officers are, outside of their employment, individuals living in that same society (and, as such, are open to same prejudices's and bias's of others), then issues of safety and protection are of serious concern as well. Yet tackling discrimination, which often remains hidden, is no easy task whether or not it be on an individual, organisational or on an institutional level. 

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Consequently, achieving justice and thus the prevention of future injustice(s) should not solely be about reprimanding, convicting or punishing the perpetrators.  Nor should it be simply about a question of intent. Rather, exposure is the prerequisite for resolution.  Exposure, when allied to social harm, can affect change: long-lasting change for the better. In combination, exposing horrendous acts through the perspective of social harm can and will facilitate the basis upon which immorality can be brought to the forefront of current debates. Indeed, the lens of social harm extends criminogenic understanding by helping organisations like (In)Justice International to fully comprehend and broadcast the gravity of the aforementioned immoral, unjust actions. 

 

In sum, this greater, more holistic conception of the issues at hand enables a case for effective change to be called for, built and enforced. Moreover, this comprehensive call would necessitate a universal/popular demand to introduce legislative measures against the heinous undertakings referred to above and, with that implementation, prevent further repetition of such devastation in the future.  That is exactly why (in)Justice International takes the stance that it does.    

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