We Must Remember Thus: Transitional Justice in Service of Memory in Hungary
We Must Remember Thus: Transitional Justice in Service of Memory in Hungary

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the various transitional justice-procedures employed in Hungary since the transition from communism, including criminal justice, lustration and memorialization, and shows how they have been used in the service of the politics of memory. It demonstrates how transitional justice was employed by the various right-wings governments forcefully and assertively, informed by a definite view with respect to history and a desirable official memory. This in part served as a tool to cover up for various policies, but it also responded to a certain level of popular demand and reflects the world view of the right-wing constituency in Hungary. On the other hand, socialists and liberals approached the issue in a much more passive way, with a far less articulated vision concerning their own version of memory politics. Looking at the different transitional justice-procedures the analysis also tries to offer explanations for this difference and draws parallels with other post-communist and post-dictatorial states.

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