Restored honour vs. pardoning

In the last few days there has been widespread misunderstanding in international media of the Icelandic term “uppreist æru” (restored honour).

Restored honour, known as uppreist æru, is an Icelandic legal procedure which in effect allows people who have served their sentences to apply for jobs in certain professions and be member of a company board.

Restoring civil standing does not affect their criminal record and it is not a pardon. This law, which dates back decades, has been under urgent review by the Ministry of Justice since May this year.