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May 15, 2002
Online Publications
A Different Kind of Justice: Dealing with Human Rights Violations
in Transitional Societies, by David Little
In this Ethics &
International Affairs essay, David Little grapples with how to handle
serious human rights offenders in transitional societies moving from
authoritarianism to democracy. Will a system of retributive justice bring the
healing and harmony necessary for peace and stability? Or, is "a different kind
of justice" required, one explicitly aimed at reconciliation?
Peacekeeping,
Peacemaking and Human Rights, by Cedric Thornberry
As the former
Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, Thornberry highlights the importance of
human rights in UN peacemaking and peacekeeping missions. He outlines the
specific tasks these missions have within the human rights field and argues that
such tasks are essential to the legitimacy and continuation of UN peace
operations. He also addresses the difficulties governments face when
incorporating human rights into peace work and identifies democratic process,
the media and non-governmental organizations as critical actors in ameliorating
these tensions.
Helping Prevent Violent Conflict, by Development Assistance
Committee, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
This
document outlines the guiding principles for the participation of donor nations
in conflict prevention and emphasizes the need to ensure peace through security
and development. Several recommendations are made to the donor community to
encourage the integration of human rights into civil society through peace
building initiatives.
Supporting Local Capacities for Handling Violent Conflict: A Role
for International NGOs? by Andy Carl
This article raises important
questions for INGOs working in the field of peacemaking. Carl addresses both the
strengths and dangers of incorporating local organizations into the prevention
and resolution of conflict. While acknowledging the complexities, he argues the
need to “invest in agents for constructive change,” specifically referring to
independent media, human rights monitors, and community-based peacemakers.
Organizations and Research Centers
CRInfo, the Conflict Resolution
Information Source
This comprehensive site offers one-stop shopping for
all your conflict resolution resource needs. Education training, notification of
upcoming events, searchable catalog, and online discussions are augmented by an
excellent annotated links section. Especially useful is the “About Conflict
Resolution” section with basic information, FAQs, a glossary of terms, and links
to educational and training opportunities – a great research tool for newcomers
to the field.
INCORE
An
academic institution in association with the University of Ulster and the United
Nations University, this Web site not only provides extensive information
regarding the Northern Ireland conflict but also supplies in-depth information
concerning countless conflicts around the world. The site offers
country-specific resources, thematic guides, a long list of peace agreements, a
library database to its publications, and an information bank directing you to
related journals, academic programs, training resources, NGOs, and more.
Conciliation Resources
This organization’s objective is to provide practical and sustained
assistance to people and groups in areas of armed conflict or where there is the
potential for violence at the community or national level. Their Web site offers
an array of papers with a linking focus on community-based responses to
conflict. Also available is an interesting collection of notes from
practitioners in the field and a full text link to Accord, their
international review of peace processes.
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is a private, multinational organization
with staff members on four continents working through field-based analysis and
advocacy to prevent and contain conflict. This Web site has numerous online
publications documenting conflicts and rights abuses and offers specific policy
proposals to government officials, international bodies, and civil society.
Center for the Study of
Violence and Reconciliation
This NGO is dedicated to making a meaningful
contribution to peaceful and fundamental transformation in South Africa. The Web
site contains 13 years of research and organizing publications among a
wide-range of categories including arms control, policing, political violence,
development, human rights, and more. Particularly abundant are their
publications on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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