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State apologies

State apologies explained

Last checked 6 November 2026 · 10 sources

Short answer

A state apology is a formal apology made on behalf of a government, a parliament or the nation. It can be a speech by a head of government in parliament, as in Canada in 2008 3 and the UK in 2024 5. It can be a parliamentary motion, as in Australia in 2008 2. It can be written into law, as in the US Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which paired an apology with US$20,000 payments 7. Some carry a clause saying they settle no claims 8.
Common forms
Speech in parliament, parliamentary motion, statute or resolution 2,7 8
Paired with payments
US Civil Liberties Act of 1988, US$20,000 per eligible person 7
Paired with a fund
Netherlands, €200 million announced with the 2022 apology 9
Claims disclaimer
US Public Law 103-150 settles no claims against the United States 8

What makes an apology a state apology

The apology is made in the name of the state, not a person. In Canada, the Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Government of Canada to former students of Indian Residential Schools on 11 June 2008 3. In the UK, the Prime Minister said on 15 June 2010 that he was deeply sorry on behalf of the Government and the country, after the Saville Inquiry report on Bloody Sunday 4.

In the Netherlands, the Prime Minister apologised on 19 December 2022 for the past actions of the Dutch State in the history of slavery. The government says he spoke at the National Archives in The Hague 9.

Who delivers it and where

  • A head of government in parliament. The UK Prime Minister made a statement on the Infected Blood Inquiry in the House of Commons on 20 May 2024 and gave what he called a wholehearted and unequivocal apology 5.
  • A parliamentary motion. On 13 February 2008 the Australian Prime Minister moved a motion titled Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples in the House of Representatives 2.
  • A public event followed by motions. Australia's 2013 apology for forced adoptions was given at an event in the Great Hall. Motions of apology were then moved in both houses 6.
  • A law or resolution. The US Civil Liberties Act of 1988 says the Congress apologizes on behalf of the Nation 7. Public Law 103-150 of 23 November 1993 apologised to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States 8.

Apology, compensation and liability

Some apologies come with money. The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 directs the Attorney General to pay each eligible person US$20,000, subject to funds being appropriated 7. The Dutch government announced a €200 million fund alongside its apology 9.

Some apologies limit their legal effect. Section 3 of Public Law 103-150 says nothing in the resolution is intended to serve as a settlement of any claims against the United States 8.

New Zealand linked its apology to an inquiry response. The Ministry of Justice says the Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Crown in Parliament on 12 November 2024. The Royal Commission's final report had been presented to Parliament on 24 July 2024 10.

Selected official apologies

DateGovernmentSubjectRecord
10 August 1988 7United StatesInternment of persons of Japanese ancestry 7Public Law 100-383 7
23 November 1993 8United States1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii 8Public Law 103-150 8
13 February 2008 2AustraliaIndigenous peoples and the Stolen Generations 2House Votes and Proceedings No. 2 2
11 June 2008 3CanadaIndian Residential Schools 3Government statement of apology 3
15 June 2010 4United KingdomBloody Sunday 4Statement to the House 4
19 December 2022 9NetherlandsRole in the history of slavery 9Government news release 9
12 November 2024 10New ZealandAbuse in State and faith-based care 10Apology in Parliament 10

Where apologies come from

Many follow an inquiry or report. The Parliamentary Education Office says the 1997 Bringing Them Home report recommended an official apology in Australia 1. The UK apologies of 2010 and 2024 followed inquiry reports 4,5.

Common questions

Does a state apology admit legal liability?

It depends on the text. The US apology to Native Hawaiians says it is not intended to settle any claims against the United States 8.

Who can make a state apology?

Examples include a prime minister in parliament 4,5, a parliamentary motion 2 and a law passed by a legislature 7.

Do state apologies include compensation?

Some do. The US Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided US$20,000 per eligible person 7. The Netherlands announced a €200 million fund 9.

Was Australia's 2008 apology voted on?

The Parliamentary Education Office says the vote was unanimous 1. The House Votes and Proceedings for 13 February 2008 record the motion moved and debate adjourned 2.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@apologyofrecord.com.

Sources

  1. Parliamentary Education Office: Apology to the Stolen Generations
  2. Parliament of Australia: House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings No. 2 (13 February 2008)
  3. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools (11 June 2008)
  4. GOV.UK: PM, Statement on Saville Inquiry (15 June 2010)
  5. GOV.UK: PM statement on the Infected Blood Inquiry, 20 May 2024
  6. Parliament of Australia: Apology for Forced Adoptions
  7. GovInfo: Public Law 100-383, Civil Liberties Act of 1988 (10 August 1988)
  8. GovInfo: Public Law 103-150, joint resolution on the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii (23 November 1993)
  9. Government of the Netherlands: Government apologises for the Netherlands' role in the history of slavery (19 December 2022)
  10. New Zealand Ministry of Justice: Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry

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