Politics

Get Over It: 15 Times Nations Refused To Apologise For Heinous Crimes

Darren - February 8, 2026

Throughout history, certain acts have been so egregious that the call for justice resonates across generations. Yet, numerous nations have chosen to remain silent or evade responsibility for their past transgressions. From colonial atrocities to modern-day conflicts, the refusal to issue official apologies has ignited enduring controversy and pain. This article examines fifteen notorious instances where countries opted for silence over apology, leaving lasting impacts on victims and international relations.

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1. Japan’s Stance on ‘Comfort Women’ During WWII

Japan has faced persistent calls, particularly from South Korea and China, to apologize unequivocally for forcing women into sexual slavery during World War II. While Japanese officials have acknowledged the suffering, persistent wording disputes and domestic politics have prevented a full official apology, fueling Asian tensions to this day. (feminist.org)

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2. Turkey and the Armenian Genocide

Despite overwhelming historical evidence and international recognition, Turkey has never formally apologized for the mass killing of Armenians in 1915, continuing to contest the term ‘genocide.’ Diplomatic pressure has led to some expressions of sorrow, but not the explicit acknowledgment or apology that Armenia and descendants demand. (theguardian.com)

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3. Britain and the Bengal Famine

Millions died during the 1943 Bengal Famine under British colonial rule. Despite British policy decisions contributing to the devastation, the UK has not issued an official apology. Many historians and Indian leaders continue to press Britain for more than an acknowledgment of a “tragic event.” (en.wikipedia.org)

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4. France and the Algerian War

France’s brutal tactics during Algeria’s war for independence included torture and civilian massacres. While President Macron admitted there were “crimes,” there has not been a full formal apology by the French government—an omission Algerians and human rights groups continue to decry. (aa.com.tr)

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5. United States and Slavery

Despite centuries of enslavement and systemic racial injustice, the US federal government has never officially apologized for slavery. Some state governments have issued apologies, but at the national level, language is limited to regrets, sparking ongoing debate about reparations. (en.wikipedia.org)

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6. Spain and Colonial Atrocities in Latin America

In October 2025, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares acknowledged the “pain and injustice” inflicted on Indigenous peoples during the Spanish conquest of the Americas. He stated, “There has also been pain—pain and injustice toward Indigenous peoples… It is right to recognize that today and to be sorry for that.” (english.elpais.com) This marked a significant shift in Spain’s stance, moving from previous rejections of formal apologies for colonial abuses. (theguardian.com)

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7. Russia and the Katyn Massacre

The Soviet Union executed thousands of Polish officers in the Katyn Forest in 1940. While Russia admitted responsibility in 1990, it has not issued a formal state apology. Public discourse in Russia often downplays the crime, frustrating Polish officials and families. (history.com)

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8. China and Tiananmen Square

After violently suppressing pro-democracy protests in 1989, the Chinese government has refused to recognize or apologize for the deaths and crackdown. Discussion of the massacre is heavily censored within China, making calls for apology virtually taboo. Human Rights Watch has urged China to acknowledge responsibility for the mass killing of pro-democracy demonstrators and provide redress for victims and family members. (hrw.org)

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9. Australia and Indigenous Stolen Wages

While Australia has apologized for the “Stolen Generations,” it has not formally apologized for the systematic withholding of wages from Indigenous people—known as “stolen wages.” Legal battles and campaigns for an apology and compensation persist. In November 2023, the Western Australian government issued a formal apology and agreed to compensate eligible Aboriginal workers or their surviving spouses and children, acknowledging the exploitation of thousands of hard-working Australians. (abc.net.au)

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10. Italy and Crimes in Libya

During its colonial rule in Libya, Italy committed mass executions and established concentration camps. In August 2008, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi apologized to Libya for the damage inflicted during the colonial era and signed a $5 billion investment deal as compensation. However, a full state apology has not been issued, leaving scars in Libyan-Italian relations. (Reuters)

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11. Belgium and Atrocities in the Congo

King Leopold II’s regime in the Congo Free State was responsible for millions of deaths. Belgium has expressed “regrets” for the abuses but has avoided delivering a direct apology, drawing criticism from descendants and human rights organizations. In June 2022, King Philippe of Belgium reaffirmed his “deepest regrets” for the colonial-era abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo but stopped short of offering a formal apology. (aljazeera.com)

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12. Canada and Indigenous Sterilization

Forced sterilizations targeting Indigenous women occurred in Canada well into the 1970s. Despite increasing evidence and lawsuits, the federal government has not yet delivered a full apology, intensifying calls for justice from Indigenous groups. In 2019, an Inuit woman underwent surgery in Yellowknife to alleviate abdominal pain but was sterilized without her consent by Dr. Andrew Kotaska, despite objections from other medical personnel. Kotaska later issued a public apology, describing his actions as unprofessional and claiming he believed he was acting in the patient’s best interest. Although the Canadian government condemns forced sterilization as a human rights violation and a potential prosecutable offense, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced they would not launch a criminal investigation since the victim has not filed a complaint. The woman’s lawyer stated she remains traumatized from prior legal processes and is unwilling to proceed with criminal charges. Legal experts argue that a victim’s participation is not mandatory for prosecution if sufficient evidence exists, such as testimony from other medical staff. Critics, including law professors and Senator Yvonne Boyer, highlight systemic mistrust among Indigenous communities toward law enforcement and emphasize the need for a legal framework to classify forced sterilization as a crime. Kotaska received a five-month license suspension, a fine, and mandatory ethics training, punishments viewed by some as insufficient. The victim is now pursuing a civil lawsuit for C$6 million, alleging oppressive and malicious actions. (apnews.com)

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13. Indonesia and the East Timor Violence

After East Timor voted for independence in 1999, violence erupted, with Indonesian forces accused of atrocities. Indonesia has yet to offer a formal apology, opting for expressions of “regret,” which have been seen as insufficient by Timorese leaders and victims. In July 2008, Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono acknowledged the country’s “institutional responsibility” for the violence but stopped short of issuing a full apology. (theguardian.com)

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14. Portugal and Colonial Slavery

Portugal played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade, forcibly transporting nearly 6 million Africans between the 15th and 19th centuries. Despite this, the Portuguese government has not issued a formal state apology to the nations and descendants affected. Official rhetoric acknowledges the “pain” of the past but stops short of formal contrition or reparations. In April 2023, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stated that Portugal should “assume responsibility” for its past, including the exploitation and slavery involved, but did not offer a full apology. (theguardian.com)

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15. Israel and the Nakba

Palestinians annually commemorate the Nakba—the mass displacement during Israel’s founding. Israel has never apologized for these events, maintaining its historical narrative while Palestinians and rights groups continue to seek recognition and apology. In May 2017, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat demanded an apology from Israel for the expulsion of around 700,000 Palestinians from their homes in 1948, emphasizing the importance of recognition for achieving a just and lasting peace. (aa.com.tr).

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