reparation

Reparation is a term with several related meanings. In everyday language, it denotes the act of repairing something that has been damaged or worn. In legal and political contexts, reparation refers to measures taken to redress harm caused by wrongdoing, including duties owed by a state for internationally wrongful acts or for historical injustices.

International law framework: The Articles on Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts identify four main categories: restitution, compensation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. Restitution aims to restore the situation before the injury; compensation covers material or moral damages; satisfaction includes assurances or acknowledgments; guarantees of non-repetition mean reforms to prevent recurrence.

Historical examples: After World War I, Germany was required to pay reparations under the Treaty of Versailles; the program contributed to economic instability and political tension. After World War II, Allied reparations included industrial and financial transfers to occupied territories and to victims. In contemporary discourse, the term reparations is often used to refer to remedy for historical injustices such as slavery and colonialism, though debates continue over feasibility, scope, and funding.

In everyday use, reparation also refers to repair work, such as fixing a broken appliance or restoring a damaged artwork. The term thus spans practical mending of objects to broader questions of accountability and redress for harm at personal, national, and international levels.