The Unbreakable Bond: Are Peace and Justice on the Same Path?

Peace and justice are the two most important pillars in every society in the world. Yet, recent events have made me curious, do these two stand together or not? Are peace and justice passengers on the same boat, moving toward the same destination? Or do they exist in separate realms, sometimes even contradicting each other? This is my concern, and I believe it’s a question worth exploring.

Peace:

Peace is the name of the presence of societal harmony, security and mutual understanding. Peace is the absence of conflict, violence and war. True peace is not just bound to a lack of tension but It creates a strong supportive and nonviolent society. It make the people in the society safe and respected. In order for people to thrive in an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, political, economic, and social systems must be stable. This is another aspect of peace.

Justice:

Justice refers to equality and the rule of law. It is the idea that each person has rights that must be respected and protected and that each person should be treated with dignity. Justice makes sure that people and communities get what they are entitled to, be it equitable treatment in the legal system, equal access to opportunities, or compensation for wrongs done. It aims to solve disparities, make amends for past wrongs, and provide structures that allow everyone to prosper without facing prejudice. Although legal frameworks are frequently used to achieve justice, morality and ethics also play a role in determining what is right and wrong in interpersonal relationships.

Are peace and Justice are on the same path?

Most of us think these two are the passengers of same destination, but I disagree with this argument because sometimes we have to sacrifice justice for the sake of peace I mean “Peace without Justice” and sometimes we have to make the sacrifice of peace for the justice that “Justice without Peace”.

A true story: 

A year ago, three killers attacked a house in my village, resulting in the death of one male member of the household. The women were also harmed. The killers’ family has strong connections to the local police; they went to the police station after the murder and filed a report against the elder brother of the deceased. Consequently, the police came for him and took him into custody.

Now, a year later, our local Jirga system (a system popular in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where local wise people gather to find solutions to problems) has mediated peace between the two families. The killers’ family has to pay a sum of money to the oppressed family. While peace has been established, my mind raises this question: Did the murdered person receive justice? Has justice been sold?

“Peace Without Justice: The Hidden Cost Of Compromise”

People may be okay with this kind of peace because it ended the conflict between two families. The Jirga system has tried its best to pursue peace. However, if we look at it from a long-term peace-making perspective, I think they have created a bad image for society and future generations. For example, imagine two children fighting in the street, and one breaks the nose of the other. If someone immediately makes peace between them without punishing the one who caused the injury, it would be a poor decision. This approach opens the door for more children to act violently, knowing they can simply make peace without facing any consequences. However, if we punish the one who broke the nose, it would send a strong message to society, spreading awareness that such actions are unacceptable.

Conclusion:

It is significantly more difficult to understand the complex relationship between justice and peace than it first appears. Even while they are both essential building blocks for a vibrant society, they don’t necessarily go hand in hand. As demonstrated by the Jirga system in my community, where the conflict was settled without providing the victim with actual justice, there are situations where peace is gained at the expense of justice. While such concessions could provide some temporary peace, they may have long-term detrimental effects on society and create a risky precedent that erodes accountability.

As I have maintained, justice is a necessary condition for true peace. If those who commit wrongdoing are not held accountable, society runs the risk of creating an atmosphere of impunity, which could allow the cycle of violence to continue unchecked. We must make sure that these two principles coexist peacefully and harmoniously in order to create a society that is just as well as peaceful. Then and only then can we create a future that is genuinely safe, stable, and equitable for all.

Abu Bakar Ahmad

24/9/2024