Exploring New Frontiers in Equity: Innovations in Restorative Justice Policy

 
Equity has always been considered a solution for addressing imbalanced social systems. However, inequities involve more than a lack of equal access to needed resources; they also involve violations of human rights norms (2019). It's important to prioritize fairness and justice. However, it's also necessary to take action that actively and forcefully addresses and transforms the situations, frameworks, environments, and systems themselves to ensure that they promote and maintain fairness and justice through proactive and preventive actions.
Speaking of protecting marginalized and underserved groups in communities, restorative justice helps to address the gaps in opportunities. It allows us to reach a solution that benefits everyone involved, builds mutual understanding, and establishes a higher level of trust. This research focuses on how restorative justice is used among Syrian forced migrants in Jordan. Jordan has hosted approximately 1.2 million Syrian forced migrants as a result of the civil war in Syria, which has strained Jordan's already fragile infrastructure and led to social tensions between the Syrian forced migrants and the host communities (Alshoubaki & Harris, 2018). The unequal distribution of resources and the resulting social tensions have had a negative impact on the vulnerable Syrian refugee population in Jordan. This case study analysis aims to answer the following questions: First, what does restorative justice mean for forced migration? Second, what tools are available that would enable the restorative justice principles in support of social justice and integration?
To answer these questions, the researchers utilize the qualitative case study approach, which allows researchers to thoroughly examine complex phenomena within a specific context (Rashid et al., 2019). In-depth semi-structured interviews are used to enable the researcher to exchange opinions with the interviewees regarding the questions and issues raised during the interview and elicit more information from them. The semi-structured interviews are compiled based on the interview guide, including a prepared list of interview questions and a full description of the interview context, such as the language and timing.
This study employs purposive-snowballing sampling, including Syrian forced migrants in Jordan who were exposed to dangerous acts, fraud/deception, trafficking, intent to injure, burglary, theft, offenses against justice, blackmail, and racism, with a total of 20 participants. Additionally, the researchers conducted interviews with representatives from justice organizations working with Syrian forced migrants
The preliminary analysis shows that social support enables the addressing intricate societal problems of Syrian forced migrants and enhances their well-being and socioeconomic status. Providing psychosocial aid to Syrian forced migrants as a marginalized community and offering non-violent communication and restorative justice training to recipients aids them in resolving conflict situations, preventing violence, and honing individual mediation skills; this is aligned with Levchenko (2020). Supporting livelihoods such as employment and building relationships with individuals and businesses for professional purposes, enhancing job opportunities, and fostering self-employment abilities. The success of restorative justice programs relies on recognizing their significance and active backing from relevant government bodies and international organizations.

 
Learning Outcomes:

1. Understanding the role of restorative justice in addressing the complexities and challenges associated with hosting displaced people.
2. Recognizing the implications of restorative justice in terms of promoting social equity.
3. Appreciating how restorative justice facilitates community building, inspires hope, and addresses power imbalances in host-forced migrant relationships.
4. Identifying the mechanisms offered by restorative justice to address underlying issues and create sustainable solutions while considering the needs and perspectives of all parties involved in hosting displaced people.​