THIS REPORT IS PUBLISHED BY THE SWEDISH PEACE AND ARBITRATION SOCIETY
Inspiring examples from several African countries.
Examples of peaceful conflict resolution in Afghanistan are seldom told. We tell them!
AND COVERAGE ON Trends in armed conflicts today Peace initiatives in Manipur, India The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Colombia
A call for proper conflict analysis to be carried out before any peace initiative is launched.
Parents Circle, Israel/Palestine Interviews with Margot Wallström and Peter Wallensteen
www.peacemonitor.org
A report published 2011 by the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
It is time to change the perspectives!
and made possible through the sup-
10 years after 11/9 we need to change the perspectives and change the direction towards a new culture of peaceful conflict resolution. There needs to be a shift in the thinking of how media, research and politics approach conflicts and peacebuilding. Our vision is increased peace monitoring!
port of the Folke Bernadotte Academy. The views expressed in this report are not necessarily shared by the publisher. Editorial Committee: Christoffer Burnett-Cargill Olle Svahn Malin Nilsson Christina Eriksson Sebastian Dahlgren
Many books and annual reports focus on the number of conflicts and wars in the world,
Gabriel Holmbom
as well as military spending and arms trade. Media reports from conflict and war zones mostly convey the bad news about the number of casualties and the injured, as well as
publisher:
misery among people and failed political processes. At the same time, we know that
Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
many people work hard, especially on local levels, to find peaceful resolution for conflicts; several peace initiatives are taken and many peace projects are actually success-
Authors:
ful in its implementation. However, these stories are seldom told to a major audience.
Christoffer Burnett-Cargill Linnea Åhs
Our vision with Peace Monitor is to have an annual book published, which e.g. lists
Malin Nilsson
peace agreements and peace initiatives around the world in the past year, gives ex-
Johan Brosché
amples of preventive actions where wars have been avoided due to peaceful conflict
Olle Svahn
resolution and shows inspiring examples of successful peace projects on local levels.
Emma Elfversson
Our vision is also that the perspectives will change increasingly and that focus be more
Christina Eriksson
on positive examples. Instead of mostly viewing what went wrong and learning from the mistakes, one also needs to study the positive examples to learn the lessons from the
Layout: E&G Design
successful outcomes as well.
egdesign.gabriel@gmail.com We can all become better in telling the success stories of peaceful conflict resolution. Print: Lasertryck
We need to communicate this better and we need to show the alternatives to military
ISBN: 978-91-979192-2-7
solutions. If we can tell all the positive stories, this might outweigh the predominantly negative reporting from conflicts and counter the thoughts that only military solutions can prevail. We hope this initial Peace Monitor will inspire a change of perspectives and
Svenska Freds- och Skiljedomsförenin-
contribute to a change of directions towards increased peaceful conflict resolution.
gen (Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society) Box 2088 103 12 Stockholm, Sweden
Christoffer Burnett-Cargill Secretary General Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
Tel: (+ 46) (0)8-558 031 80 E-mail: info@svenskafreds.se Web site: www.svenskafreds.se
contents page 4
page 8 page 20
page 14
page 28
4 6 8
Trends in armed conflicts today Catch up on conflict development and conflict transformation.
Interview with Peter Wallensteen Good understanding enables good solutions A call for proper conflict analysis to be carried out before any peace initiative is launched. Read up on conflict complexities and some successful peace agreements.
12
The Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Colombia
14
Inspiring examples from African countries
20
Peace and Unity in Afghanistan
26
Peace initiatives in Manipur, India
28
Parents Circle Israel/Palestine
32
Interview with Margot Wallström
Following their own path in the struggle for a life in peace and freedom in the midst of the prolonged Colombian conflict.
Consensus-making, reintegration and rebuilding relationships are core principals applicable far beyond African communities.
News about Afghanistan seldom contains any positive stories. Read about civil society efforts for peace here!
A conflict mostly forgotten by western media with local peace initiatives carried out by women.
Many years of failed political processes have led people to believe peace is not possible in the region. The Parents Circle shows an example where individuals can make a difference.
page 32 2 0 11 | P E A C E M O N I TO R
3
PHOTO: Aida Burnett-Cargill for Diakonia
Trends in armed conflicts today Since the beginning of the 1990s, there has been a drastic decrease in the number of armed conflicts in the world. This is a positive development that should be recognised. In 2010 the number of deadly conflicts reached its lowest level since 1957. However, there are some concerns about the increase of foreign military involvement in intrastate conflicts and the unusually low number of high-level peace agreements in 2010. Text by Malin Nilsson
A
t the end of the Cold War, there
Conflict Database Program (UCDP), fol-
consequences for entire regions. The ef-
were many positive signs of a
lowed in the first half of 2011 by the Arab
fects on economic development alone are
more peaceful world. The overall
spring and new related conflicts.
horrifying. Intrastate wars create malde-
trend since then has been positive and
velopment and institutional deformation
the number of armed conflicts has de-
conflicts today is intrastate conflicts, usu-
that further increases the risk of renewed
creased. However, in the period between
ally connected to the formation of states
conflict in the unlikely event of a negoti-
2003 and 2008, the number of active
or civil wars. Many spring from struggles
ated peace.
conflicts involving state actors rose again
over power, rights, economic advantage,
from 29 to 37. Even interstate conflicts,
natural resources and cultural identity. In
in relation to the human costs. During
once deemed practically extinct, have re-
most of these struggles, groups fight for
World War I, civilian deaths made up 5%
emerged in the shape of US-led unilateral-
control over the government or against a
of the total casualties and by World War
ism in the fight against terrorism and the
government set against them, and in many
II, the number had risen to 50%. As we
forceful implementation of democracy. In
cases the struggling groups are ethnopo-
stepped into the new millennium, 80-90%
2009 and 2010 there was a decrease in
litically defined. These “new wars� last for
of those killed in armed conflict were civil-
active conflicts, reported by the Uppsala
long periods of time and have disastrous
ians. Although the actual number of peo-
4
  P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
The most common form of violent
The economic losses fade, however,
ple killed in conflicts has decreased since
Armed con icts by Type, 1946-2009
1990, the trend shows that now more than ever, civilians have a stake in the conflicts
Extrastate
of their societies. Groups and individuals
Internationalized intrastate
Intrastate
© UCDP 2010
60
have everything to gain by engaging in
50
No. of con icts
initiatives aimed at resolving conflict and promoting social change without the use of violence.
Interstate
Although existing institutions of the
international system are still the primary arenas for dealing with interstate conflicts,
40 30 20 10
the emergence of and increased focus on intrastate conflicts has resulted not only in
0
19 4 19 6 4 19 8 5 19 0 52 19 5 19 4 56 19 5 19 8 6 19 0 6 19 2 6 19 4 6 19 6 68 19 7 19 0 7 19 2 7 19 4 7 19 6 7 19 8 8 19 0 8 19 2 84 19 8 19 6 88 19 9 19 0 9 19 2 9 19 4 9 19 6 98 20 0 20 0 0 20 2 04 20 0 20 6 08
new discourses and terminology, but also in new institutional policies and practices. Within this framework, and in the midst of
of resisting, resolving and transforming
one of the leading proponents of so-
before they become violent, peaceful and
violent conflict are continuously invented.
called conflict transformation, conflicts
constructive techniques are more easily
They are invented by people inhabiting
are natural parts of human coexistence
adopted by the parties. However, such
some of the most conflict-ridden societ-
and motors of social change. The goal of
prevention requires a good understanding
ies in the world, by people witnessing
any peace initiative should therefore be to
of the issues at hand, as well as of the
their societies tread dangerously close to
transform a violent conflict into a peaceful
actors involved. Such understanding can
violence and by people who have come
one rather than to end the conflict itself.
only come from involving local actors and
out on the other end of violent conflict and
The goal of transforming a conflict goes
stakeholders in the process, and a lot can
refuse to let the cycle of violence draw
beyond resolving particular problems,
be learned from looking at peace efforts
them back in.
and encourages us to engage in con-
initiated at the grassroots level of conflict-
structive change initiatives that address
ridden communities. Within these commu-
both surface issues and underlying social
nities, the negative images that perpetu-
From violent conflict to peaceful societies
According to John Paul Lederach,
tive violence. By addressing conflicts
all the atrocities of war, creative new ways
structures.
ate antagonism and solidify conflicts are
Defining peace is never an easy task.
challenged and space is opened up for
Has peace been achieved when a
conflict transformation attempt to alter
peace-agreement is signed? If so, which
the characteristics and manifestations of
groups need to be included? Is peace
conflict. Groups and individuals who are
the absence of all forms of violence? Can
involved and affected by a conflict are
an unequal society ever be a peaceful
enabled to deal with issues in constructive
society?
ways and generate strategies to over-
come them. It can be argued that conflict
In public discourse, we tend to
Actions undertaken in the name of
equate the state of peace with the ab-
transformation deals with the structural,
sence or termination of violent acts and
behavioural and attitudinal aspects of
the signing of a peace agreement. We
conflict. Actions that contribute to conflict
focus on overt and violent conflict while
transformation include rehabilitation,
ignoring latent, covert and non-violent
reconstruction, disarmament, reconcilia-
conflicts. By doing so, we ignore the fact
tion, empowerment, community-building
that the end of a conflict cycle may very
activities, preventing crisis and conflict
well be the beginning of another. We also
management training.
ignore the communities of peace that
flourish within the borders of many conflict-
important insights for the task of prevent-
ridden societies. Groups and individuals
ing violent conflict. Preventing violent
continuously engage in conflict trans-
conflict is a way to save both lives and
formation, a concept that has received
resources so that these can be invested in
increased attention in the last decade.
societal development instead of destruc-
Conflict transformation also offers
compromise, accommodation and political solutions. ▣
RECOMMENDED READING: Preparing for Peace: Conflict Trans formation Across Cultures, John Paul Lederach Syracuse University Press, 1995 Peace Research: Theory and Practice, Peter Wallensteen, Routledge, 2011 Uppsala Conflict Data Program www.ucdp.uu.se
2 0 11 | P E A C E M O N I TO R
5
Questions & Answers with
Peter Wallensteen Dag Hammarskjöld Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University; Richard G. Starmann Sr. Research Professor of Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
PHOTO: Magnus Aronson
PM: With Peace Monitor we are aiming to
Well, bad news often sell better, unfortu-
Yes, I agree. It is true for conflicts defined
highlight successful peace agreements on
nately. But media could also recognise
as part of this war. Peace efforts have suf-
local levels, that are not often mentioned
that the number of conflicts are actually
fered since 9/11 2001. There has been a
in media reports. Have you experienced
decreasing in the world. One should
predominance of military solutions instead
such peace agreements on local level in
report the overall positive developments
of seeking e.g. negotiated political solu-
your research and field visits?
as well.
tions. Afghanistan, Iraq and Sri Lanka are clear exemples. The reasons for this is the
Yes, especially in Africa, where so called
PM: What do you think can be done to
underlying approach by way of a “war of
’elders’ have been involved to resolve local
more promote the positive and successful
terrorism”. It means that you are either “for
communal violence. The elders are often
peace efforts?
or against”. There is not much room for contacts, dialogue or negotiations. Legis-
seen as neutral and respected leaders. Once I was sitting in a village in Western
For example, there could be a journalist
lation of terrorism can even make it illegal
Kenya where people where trying to solve
prize for those who report about a conflict
to have contacts with those closer to the
a problem of a water pipe, the elders led
that was resolved before leading into a
actual terrorists, and then it is harder to
the negotiations and a sustainable solution
violent war. This can be made into a sell-
set up channels for negotiated solutions.
was found which all parties could accept.
ing story too. PM: What can be done to promote peace-
In Tanzania, I experienced the opposite, where engineers decided, and people
PM: Do you have any good examples on
were supposed to move their houses to fit
positve and successful peace projects
the pipelines.
that you have experienced in your work?
ful conflict resolution, in the post 9/11 era? There is a need for a strong political signal to go forward and prioritise peaceful
PM: Is there a risk that sometimes there
I am often astonished how many positive
conflict resolution. I also think that the eco-
is too much international involvement in
people there are present in some of the
nomic incentives should be highlighted
peace negotiations?
worst conflicts. How much positive energy
more, that wars costs too much and harm
that exists among people in civil society
normal economic development.
Yes, definitely. The Dayton peace agre-
organizations. This gives hope for peace-
ment for the Balkans is an example where
ful conflict resolution. I recall all peace
to do the job. There should be a nego-
there was too much international involve-
initiatives from the Israeli and Palestinian
tiating team ready at every Ministry of
ment. The risk is that the conflicting par-
societies in the 1990s. There were many
Foreign Affairs. The team should be on
ties will not take responsibility themselves,
ideas, and there was political space for
stand-by mode, ready to go to conflicts
and thus not see the agreement as ’theirs’.
such initiatives. I also recall a local cease-
zones on short notice. The need for ’rapid
In such a case the peace agreement will
fire in a city in Northern Ireland, negoti-
reaction,’ too often only refers to military
not be as effective and sustainable. It has
ated locally, through informal leaders and,
options, there are civilian measures as
to rely on external commitment.
thus, respected and sustainable.
well, but they need further development.
The world also needs skilled people
Giving this political priority would achieve PM: Media often reports about wars and
PM: After 9/11 and the ’war on the terror-
disasters, but very seldom local peace
ism’, it seems as if military solutions have
initiatives are highlighted. Why is that so
been used more often to solve conflicts.
do you think?
Why is that so? Do you agree?
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P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
just that. ▣
Good understanding enables good solutions “I have heard that before – I think that you should solve the problem in this manner” is a common comment from a partner, student or friend when someone has started to explain a problem. Sometimes the listener understands the situation and is correct in his/her analysis of it. At other times, however, the problem is not at all what the listener thought it was. This often leaves the person telling the story in frustration, and the suggested solution is often mismatched because the real problem has not been understood. The same goes for conflicts – if you do not understand you cannot fix it – but a good understanding enables a good solution. Text by Johan Brosché
T
o be able to solve a problem you
different rebel groups or between differ-
need to understand it. When it
ent communities. One-Sided Violence
comes to conflict, core aspects
is the third category, and is violence
that need to be understood are: Who
intentionally directed against civilians,
are the most important actors? What
for instance, massacres, genocide and
are the main problems at hand? What
terrorism that deliberately target civil-
effects will a certain initiative have? Are
ians. These different types of violence
there any potential risks with a particu-
often take place in the same countries
lar suggested solution? Often, con-
and interact in various forms. This cat-
cerned peace activists see a deplor-
egorisation is very helpful as it deepens
able situation and react intuitively and
the understanding of conflicts and
argue that, “we need to do something”.
illustrates the complexities, which are
This is an understandable and hearten-
important for choosing the appropriate
ing reaction from concerned citizens
peace initiatives.
and should definitely be encouraged. However, it is important that this “some-
The Darfur situation
thing” turns out to be something useful
The continuing crisis in Darfur illustrates
for the victims of the conflict, instead of
such complexities and dynamics in a
something that just eases the heart of
clear manner. The conflict in Darfur has
the concerned citizens. Good inten-
been described as an environmen-
tions are a good start when it comes to
tal conflict, a conflict between Arabs
peace initiatives. However, the issues at
and Africans, and at other times as
hand are much too important for good
genocide. There is some truth in these
intentions to be enough; it is the results
labels, but each of them leaves out a
that matter. To reach the intended result
vast amount of information and creates
a careful conflict analysis is needed. If
a simplistic view of a complex prob-
you do not understand the context in
lem. More correctly, the crisis in Darfur
which a conflict takes place, you run the
can be described as consisting of four
risk of harming the peace rather than
parallel conflicts:
helping it. 1.
Communal conflicts – primarily
The complexities of conflicts
conflicts between different pastoral and
An important aspect of understanding
2.
conflicts is to realise that they often con-
rebel leaders seeking power positions,
sist of several parallel conflicts. Con-
who fight against each other. There also
flicts are often described in dichotomies
exists conflicts between traditional lead-
such as Israel-Palestine, Hutu-Tutsi and
ers (elders) and young aspiring leaders.
United States-Iraq. A more correct ver-
3.
sion should instead describe conflicts
is a very centralised country with many
as Matroyoshka Dolls, in each conflict
of the peripheral areas being extremely
you have another conflict.
marginalised; one such area is Darfur.
4.
The Uppsala Conflict Data
farming communities over land. Local elite conflicts – different
Centre-periphery conflicts – Sudan
Cross-border Conflicts – the crisis
Program (UCDP) is a useful source
in Darfur also crosses border and add-
for understanding conflict, and they
ing to the complexities is that Sudan
divide organised violence into three
and its western neighbour Chad have
main categories: State-Based Conflicts,
been involved in a proxy-war, which
which consist of war between countries
means that both countries have sup-
or civil wars. Non-State Conflicts are the
ported the rebels in the other country.
second category and consist of nonstate actors fighting each other. Often
these conflicts are fought between
problems in the United Nations and the
In addition to this, there are also
2 0 11 | P E A C E M O N I TO R
9
PHOTO: Albert Gonzalez Farran / UN PHOTO
five permanent members of United Na-
of the dynamics and demonised the
the rebel leaders to sign a Darfur Peace
tions Security Council. They are sharply
ethnic groups in Darfur with a more
Agreement. Moreover, the international
divided in issues related to Sudan, with
Arab identity. In reality though, many
pressure caused the negotiators to set
Russia and China advocating a softer
of these groups were victims and not
up an artificial deadline for how long
attitude against the Government of
perpetrators. For these reasons, the
negotiations could take. SLM/A-MM was
Sudan than the other three permanent
suggested solutions where not compre-
the movement with the most military
members, United States, United King-
hensive enough because they did not
might during that time and the negotia-
dom and France.
include all victims and the dynamics
tors concentrated on getting them to
In 2003 and 2004, the death rate in
were not understood.
sign the agreement.
Darfur peaked with most of the atroci-
ties in the region being carried out by
severely misunderstood by the wider
Agreement (DPA) was signed between
the infamous Janjaweed militia and
international community and people
the Government of Sudan and SLM/A-
the Government of Sudan. The United
engaged in trying to find a negoti-
MM whilst the other two rebel leaders
Nations estimates that 300,000 people
ated solution to the conflict. During the
refused to sign. The signing of the
have been killed in Darfur between 2003
spring of 2006, the demands on the in-
peace-agreement was hailed interna-
and 2011, most of these deaths are not
ternational community to do something
tionally and people thought that at last
caused by violence but by problems
about the disastrous situation in Darfur
peace in Darfur was achieved. However,
that follows from the violence such as
were immense. Negotiations were ongo-
Minni Minawi had signed an agreement
diseases. The ethnic cleansing in Darfur
ing in Abuja, Nigeria, in order to find a
that was heavily disliked among the Dar-
appalled people, and many activists
solution. During that time, there were
furian population, among other rebels,
started to organise themselves in order
three rebel groups in Darfur fighting
and also within his own rank. Instead of
to stop the ongoing atrocities. The
against the government: Sudan Libera-
peace, the DPA had devastating effects
horrifying situation in Darfur also led
tion Movement Army - Abdul Wahid
for Darfur. Firstly, numerous command-
to engagement from many Hollywood
(SLM/A-AW), Sudan Liberation Move-
ers within the SLM/A-MM left Minawi’s
stars such as George Clooney and
ment/Army - Minni Minawi (SLM/A-MM)
rank and either joined the other rebel
Mia Farrow. The analysis of the Darfur
and Justice and Equality Movement
groups or started their own movement.
situation among these activists and in
(JEM) led by Khalil Ibrahim. The view
Secondly, the signing of the DPA led
the media often lacked depth, and the
among the international community and
to a huge proliferation of rebel groups
immensely complex situation was often
among the negotiators was that a peace
and at one point there were dozens
simplified as a conflict between Arabs
agreement would solve the situation. For
of rebel groups, making negotiations
and Africans. Such a view missed much
this reason the negotiators tried to force
extremely difficult. Thirdly, fighting in
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P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
The Darfur situation was also
On 5 May 2006, the Darfur Peace
“Before commencing any peace initiative a thorough conflict analysis has to be carried out”
Darfur increased during the summer of
2006 resulting in that year being much
conflict started in the second half of
more violent than 2005. Some of this
the 1970s. Sponsored by the Apartheid
fighting was between SLM/A-MM and
regime in South Africa, the Renamo
rebel groups that had not signed the
rebels opposed the Mozambique
DPA; others were between the govern-
Government. This war included severe
ment and non-signatories. Fourthly, DPA
atrocities against the civilian population
being an unimplemented agreement
and the Renamo carried out most of
decreased people’s belief in a negoti-
the massacres. Several attempts to stop
ated solution leading many to see a
this conflict were carried out during the
continued armed conflict as the only
1980s, but none of them succeeded.
way forward.
However, at the beginning of the 1990s,
the Saint Egidio community, a catholic
Successful peace agreements
non-government organisation based in
good intentions have to be combined
Rome, started negotiations. Representa-
with good understanding to create a
Nevertheless, although it is important to
tives from Saint Egido, an Italian politi-
good solution. Before commencing
be aware of these problems, there exist
cian and a bishop from Mozambique
any peace initiative a thorough conflict
many positive examples where a peace
succeeded in getting the parties to sign
analysis has to be carried out. If this is
agreement has brought peace to the
a peace-agreement in 1992 and peace
not done there is a clear risk for unin-
people. Three different examples from
has remained since.
tended effects. It is important to realise
three different corners of the world
that something that is supposed to be
are: Aceh (Indonesia), Mozambique
El Salvador. At the end of the 1970s
genuinely good might not have that
and El Salvador. In all these countries,
guerrilla rebels, critical of the right-
effect. A peace agreement can bring
protracted conflicts that had caused
ist government, took up weapons. In
peace to millions of people or it can be
thousands of deaths ended through a
the 1980s the conflict in El Salvador
just a piece of paper – sometimes even
peace agreement. In 2004 a tsunami
followed the pattern of a typical Latin
having a negative effect. As demon-
devastated large areas of South-East
American conflict during the cold war
strated by the more positive examples,
Asia and one region that suffered the
with the Soviet and the United States
this article should not at all be seen as
most from this was the Aceh region of
supporting different sides in the con-
a call for less activism, less enthusiasm
Indonesia. In Aceh, an armed conflict
flict. In El Salvador, Soviet and other
regarding peace initiatives, or a disbe-
had been going on for decades, and bi-
communist states supported the FMLN
lief in peace agreement. However, we
zarrely the tragic tsunami also brought
rebels and the United States supported
need a good understanding in order to
some positive effects to the region. The
the government. During the cold war the
day after the tsunami both the rebels
conflict in El Salvador was very bloody
(GAM – Free Aceh Movement) and the
with more than a thousand people killed
government declared unilateral cease-
every year. Attempts to solve the conflict
fires. However the ceasefire quickly
did not succeed, but with the end of the
broke down, but international pressure
cold war new opportunities appeared
from donors led to peace-talks being
and a peace agreement brokered by
restarted in 2005. Negotiations led
the United Nations was signed in 1992.
by the former Finnish President Marti
Moreover, in El Salvador peace has
Ahtisaari led to a Peace Agreement
remained since. These three examples
signed 15 August 2005, and since then
show that no conflicts continue forever
no fighting has taken place in Aceh.
and that attempts to try to stop conflicts
Interestingly, the tsunami had oppo-
should never stop. Furthermore, they
site effects in Sri Lanka that also was
illustrate the important role different
severely hit by the tsunami. There, the
actors can play in achieving peace.
fighting intensified after the tsunami.
Finally, the argument made above, of
However, of course the tsunami was
complexities of conflicts, is demonstrat-
just one among many factors explain-
ed in these conflicts as local, regional,
ing the differences between the peace
and global factors were important in all
processes in Aceh and Sri Lanka.
of them.
In Mozambique, a very violent
The third and final example is from
This article makes a call that
achieve a good solution. ▣
RECOMMENDED READING: Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding – the Continuing Crisis in Darfur Brosché, Johan and Rothbart, Daniel, 2012 (forthcoming) London and New York: Routledge Social Conflict: Escalation, Stalemate, and Settlement: Pruitt, Dean and Kim, Sung Hee, 2003, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Understanding Conflict Resolution. War, Peace and the Global System Wallensteen Peter, 2011, London: Sage.
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11
The
Peace Community of San José de Apartadó Colombia
In the Northwest of Colombia, near the gulf of Uraba, lays a small town called San José de Apartadó, established in the 1960s. In response to the internal conflict in the country and escalating violence directed towards the community, they decided to declare themselves the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in March 1997.
principles is to stop thinking in terms of
their own philosophy and responding to
you and I and instead think of us. This
the needs of the community. The commu-
enables a philosophy of solidarity that
nitarian work is also the basis for the new
makes the people in the community realise
organisation of the community, in different
that their actions affect everyone in the
working groups and committees.
community. The respect of plurality and
freedom, of all different opinions and ideas
munity is the internal council, consisting
through transparent dialogue, is another
of eight democratically elected members.
important principle that guides the life in
Elections are held every six months in a
the community. In light of the egoism and
comprehensive process that takes in to ac-
individualism that the community regards
count all the qualities that the members of
as imposed by capitalism they have also
the council should have. To get elected as
tried to create a different system based
a member of the council one needs more
on communitarianism and solidarity - a
than 80 % support from the voters.
welfare system that includes everybody.
The highest authority in the com-
The community holds meetings once
a week and work training every other
Text by Olle Svahn
Organised community
week. In these meetings they plan for the
he members of the community ad-
The communitarian work is a cornerstone
near future by examining the world around
opted a seven article long statute
in the philosophy of the community as
them, both nationally and internationally,
that, among other things, declare
a form of daily resistance. Resistance
and reflect upon it in order to decide their
that they are not to carry arms, ammuni-
constructed by the inhabitants themselves
way ahead. The work in the group is never
tions or explosives and not to take part in
through the alternative and solidarity econ-
the same. It has to be dynamic as it comes
the internal conflict in the country. In return,
omy they practice by working together.
from the will to do something different as a
they demand that the parties of the conflict
With limited resources and constantly living
form of resistance of aggression. This re-
respect their decision and stay away from
under the threat of blockades, robberies
sistance has taken the community through
their community.
and murder, the community is forced to be
blockades and periods of great hunger.
creative and to always look for new ways
T
Forming a peace community meant
starting a new life with a new form of com-
to continue ahead. One example of this
munal organisation and living according
creativity is the educational system in the
Women and a change of perspective
to a new set of principles. The principles
community. Since the official educational
When the peace community was estab-
that guide the community are in a constant
system has been blocked for the inhabit-
lished in 1997, the role of the women was
process of development, in which all the
ants of the community they had to think of
quite neglected. Starting on a different
members of the community are involved
something different. They decided to form
path they could still not escape the fact
and can participate. One of the primary
their own educational system, teaching
that they lived in a sexist environment.
12
P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
PHOTOS: Peace Community of San José de Apartadó
ABOVE The communitarian work is a cornerstone in the philosophy of the community. LEFT Since the official educational system is not available to the community they decided to form their own educational system, teaching their own philosophy and responding to the needs of the community.
The first internal council did not include a
retical and practical education. The idea
de Apartadó has been awarded the
single woman. The situation was very prob-
was to share and increase the knowledge
Aachen Peace Prize and nominated for
lematic and as the women in the commu-
needed in the communities, but also to
the Nobel Peace Prize. Their peaceful and
nity realised this they started to search for
bring them closer together.
non-violent methods of confronting the
more influential roles. The men responded
hard reality they live in are great sources
according to the logic of war, but without
inhabitants expected to be able to live
of inspiration for other communities, not
arms and instead with exclusion, individu-
peacefully in their land. However, forces
only in Colombia but also for peace activ-
alism and egoism. The beginning of this
from the Colombian military and paramili-
ists all over the world. It is difficult to deter-
process was very difficult. A change of
taries have carried out numerous attacks
mine the exact number of peace commu-
perspective was needed, that is, from that
towards the community. Throughout the
nities in Colombia today, but approximately
of women as a useful object that can cook
years, the community has suffered from
50 communities have followed the example
and clean to an actor playing an essential
massacres, displacements, murders and
of the Peace Community of San José de
role in creating a new future. Today the role
rapes. Their houses and schools have
Apartadó. Together these communities
of women is acknowledged throughout
been burnt down and they have suffered
constitute a strong bottom-up initiative to
the whole community and the women walk
from economic blockades from military
peace in Colombia and a hope for a more
shoulder to shoulder with the men towards
and paramilitary roadblocks resulting in
peaceful situation in the country.
the future, creating it together.
isolation and lack of food. Counting only
the gravest attacks, covered by interna-
This change of perspective was also
Forming the Peace Community, the
a part of changing perspective from the
tional law, suffered by the community, there
logic of war to finding something different.
are more than 560 including more than 165
After three moths of this struggle there
cases of murder.
were three women in the internal council
and women started to take a more active
handed in a formal complaint to the at-
role in other parts of the community as
torney general regarding the more than
well.
300 crimes against humanity they have
▣
In November 2003 the community
suffered. The prosecutor, violating all the
Looking ahead
rules of procedure, did not even open a
In September 2003 the community hosted
single investigation. The community has
a meeting for delegates from indigenous,
decided to keep a record of all the actions
afro-Colombian and peasant communities.
which they have suffered from, since the
The meeting led to the formation of a net-
justice system is out of order and impunity
work of communities of resistance and the
prevails. If all the atrocities are remem-
founding of the University of Resistance
bered there will be justice one day.
where the communities could get theo-
FURTHER INFORMATION: www.cdpsanjose.org www.colombiasupport.net/sanjose
The Peace Community of San José
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13
Local peacebuilding:
Inspiring examples from African countries
In the shadow of large-scale conflicts such as those in Somalia, Darfur and eastern DRC, and the international peace processes that have attempted to resolve these conflicts, Africa has a rich experience of local, indigenous peacemaking that is seldom reported in Western media. Text by Emma Elfversson
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T
PHOTO: MARTINE PERRET / UN PHOTO
hese peace processes usually
Deliberations are allowed to take the time
revolve around consensus-making,
necessary to reach an agreement that is
truth-telling and restorative justice,
acceptable to all parties, and followed
and have a strong focus on rebuilding
by offerings of forgiveness and compen-
community relationships. Oftentimes
sation. Peace is often sealed through
traditional authorities, such as chiefs
symbolic rituals, such as sharing meals
or elders, lead these processes and
and drinks. While such processes are
serve as mediators. There are also many
perhaps best suited to deal with small-
examples of civil society groups and
scale intra-community conflicts, they have
non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
also been used in situations of violent
playing important roles in local peace
conflicts between communal groups,
processes.
sometimes in the form of massive peace
Local conflict resolution initiatives
conferences stretching over many days,
become particularly important in cases
with participants from a large number of
where the state is weak or when conflict
neighbouring groups. One example is the
erupts in very remote areas. For instance,
inter-clan peace process in Somaliland
local peace processes have played key
in Northern Somalia in the early 1990s,
roles in creating peaceful zones in some
which created relative peace and stability
regions of Somalia, which has been virtu-
in this region while the rest of the country
ally without a functioning state since the
succumbed to violent conflict. Similarly,
early 1990s. Similarly, local peace pro-
from 2004 to 2009, elders from the Bo-
cesses have been important in dealing
rana and Gabra clans of the Oromo, an
with communal conflicts in countries such
ethnic group mainly residing in Ethiopia
as Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Nigeria,
and Northern Kenya, held several peace
where the state has lacked the capacity
meetings based on customary conflict
to intervene in remote areas.
resolution procedures. The process,
aimed at ending recurring violent con-
The creation of peaceful zones
flicts between the pastoralist groups,
A number of case studies and anthro-
was based on customary Oromo law, and
pological accounts have documented
which was then endorsed by the local
traditional conflict resolution practices in
authorities.
different parts of Africa, and how they
have been used to address conflict within and between communal groups. These
The successful peace process in Wajir
practices often have a long tradition of
Another illustrative example of success-
constructively dealing with conflicts so
ful local peacebuilding took place in the
that local livelihoods and community
Wajir district in Northeast Kenya in the
relationship can go on or be restored. At
1990s. The district is located next to the
the core of these processes is a focus on
border with Ethiopia and Somalia, and
maintaining community harmony and so-
is mainly inhabited by ethnic Somali. In
cial bonds, and for this reason they tend
the early 1990s, intense violent conflict
to rely on reintegration and restorative
broke out between the major clans in
justice rather than on punitive measures.
the district. The fighting was ignited by
Mediators act as facilitators and help the
competition over local political power as
conflicting parties negotiate an agree-
the country held its first democratic elec-
ment rather than trying to persuade and
tions in late 1992. Background causes
manipulate through the use of incentives
of the conflict included severe underde-
and punishment. A person or persons
velopment and marginalisation, further
with high status and legitimacy in the
aggravated by a series of droughts as
community, such as chiefs or elders,
well as an influx of refugees and small
usually play the role of the mediator.
arms from the conflicts in the neighbour-
culminated in a peace declaration which
2 0 11 | P E A C E M O N I TO R  
15
“the core principles of consensus-making, reintegration and rebuilding relationship are applicable far beyond local African communities” ing countries. As the violence escalated,
clan elders. The group, which became
tercommunity relations. The peace group
local clan leaders and elders mobilised
known as the Wajir Peace Group, then en-
became institutionalised under the name
militias and enlisted mercenaries from
listed leaders of the minority clans in the
Wajir Peace and Development Commit-
across the border. The local administra-
area to act as neutral mediators between
tee and its relation to state administrative
tion lacked both capacity and willingness
the feuding majority clans. In late 1993,
structures formalised.
to intervene and uphold security, and
a peace meeting was held which led to
the whole district became unsafe, with
the adoption of a declaration for peace.
process hinged on a number of aspects.
banditry and looting thriving in the desta-
The group also attempted to involve the
First of all, the process was inclusive,
bilised situation.
district administration and state officials
with all parts of society – women, youth
in the peace process, and succeeded
and local businessmen as well as clan
the Wajir conflict was a locally driven
after a new District Commissioner (DC)
elders – taking part in the peace process
peace process that began with an initia-
was appointed in 1994. The new DC
and the ensuing peacebuilding and
tive by a group of women who tired of
took strong steps to improve the security
demobilisation work. Second, and relat-
the continuing violence and insecurity. Af-
situation and deal with the lawlessness in
edly, the process was locally owned and
ter meeting with other market women who
the area. By the late 1990s, stability and
locally driven – its legitimacy derived
similarly felt it was time to do something
peace had been restored, and thereafter,
from the usage of indigenous, traditional
about the conflict, they approached other
recurring peace festivals have helped
practices and authorities, and money for
community members and eventually local
manifest the peace and reinvigorate in-
peace meetings was raised locally, which
What eventually turned the tide of
Photo: Jill Morehead / Mercy Corps
ABOVE Community gathering in Wajir. The Wajir peace process was inclusive, with all parts of society – women, youth and local businessmen as well as clan elders – as well as locally owned and driven.
16
Photo: Paulo Filgueiras / un photo
ABOVE AND right The inclusion of women and the young are important corner stones of succesful peace making. The issue was very much high lighted this year by awarding Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman the Nobel Peace Prize for their non-violent struggle for womens rights and womens full participation in peace processes in African and Arabic countries.
P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
The success of the Wajir peace
gave a certain pride in the process.
cultural traditions and worldview, the
Third, the complexity of the conflict and
practices can be elitist and exclude wom-
the multiple actors and interests involved
en and the young, and traditional leaders
were acknowledged, and the conflict
and institutions may be manipulated
resolution process was allowed to take
by national politicians – it is clear that
the time necessary for dealing with this
they have the potential to constructively
complexity. Finally, the constructive
resolve local conflicts and are an im-
cooperation of the authorities with the
portant complement to state institutions,
local group and their shouldering of the
especially in remote areas and weak
responsibility of upholding security aided
states. Furthermore, the core principles
the peace process and helped ensure
of consensus-making, reintegration and
that it was not derailed by isolated events
rebuilding relationship are applicable far
of cattle raiding or banditry. This con-
beyond local African communities, and
structive cooperation has meant, among
may serve as an inspiration for conflict
systems have been allowed to function alongside Kenyan law, and the two have been recognised as complementary rather than contradictory.
These brief examples illustrate the
existence of vibrant traditions of local peacebuilding in Africa. While customary conflict resolution mechanisms have many limitations – for instance, the groups involved need to share the same
resolution around the world. ▣
Traditional Approaches to Conflict Trans formation – Potentials and Limits Berghof Handbook for Conflict Transformation www.berghof-handbook.net/ Boege, Volker, 2006. Roots of Reconciliation: Local Level Peace Processes in Somaliland Farah, Ahmed Yusuf, 1999. Alliances for Africa Bulletin, November 1999. Wajir Community Based Conflict Manage ment”, Paper presented to the USAID Conference on Conflict Resolution in the Great Horn of Africa, June 1997. Ibrahim, Dekha and Janice Jenner, 1997. The rise of a mediated state in northern Kenya: the Wajir story and its implications for state-building Menkhaus, Ken, 2008. Afrika Focus 21(2). The Wajir story Documentary by Responding to Conflict. Available at http://vimeo.com/9935744 PHOTO: Christopher Herwig / UN PHOTO
other things, that Somali traditional justice
KEY SOURCES AND FURTHER INFORMATION:
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17
World Peace Map There are many maps available of conflicts and wars around the world. However, there are few maps available of peace agreements, peace initiatives and peaceful conflict resolution. This is far from a comprehensive list or map, but we wish to provide a few examples of peace agreements and peaceful conflict resolution, to illustrate how this could be done. With this World Peace Map we intend to inspire for a change of perspectives.
NORTHERN IRELAND The Belfast Agreement, a multi-party agreement signed by most of Northern Ireland’s political parties, and an international agreement between the British and Irish governments was ratified in 1998.
Macedonia (FYROM) The further spread of the wars in former Yugoslavia was prevented in Macedonia (FYROM) by peaceful means and preventive actions in 1992.
LIBERIA EL SALVADOR
A comprehensive peace agreement, signed in 2003 between the opposing forces and the government of Liberia, ended a 14 year long civil war.
After a raging conflict for well over 20 years a peace agreement brokered by the UN was signed in 1992. Peace has remained since.
Peace Treaties 2000 - 2005
Inter-Congolese dialogue
2001
Democratic Republic of Congo
Los Pozos Agreement
2001
Colombia
Republic of Ethiopia
2000
Eritrea-Ethiopia
Machakos Protocol
2002
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
The Famboni Declaration Agreement between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the Government of the Federal Democratic
2000
Comoros (Anjouan)
Cessation of Hostilities Framework Agreement
2002
Indonesia (Aceh)
Yumbe Peace Agreement
2002
Uganda
Abuja Ceasefire Agreement
2000
Sierra Leone
Global and Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of Congo
2002
Democratic Republic of Congo
Accord Cadre de Reforme et de Concorde Civile
2000
Djibouti
Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi
2000
Burundi
Political agreement on consensual management of the transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
2002
Democratic Republic of Congo
Moro Islamic Liberation Front
2001
Philippines (Mindanao)
Los Pozos Accord
2002
Colombia
Bougainville Peace Agreement
2001
Papua New Guinea (Bougainville)
Tripoli 2 agreement
2002
Chad
2002
Burundi
2002
Angola
Agreement on Peace between the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the The Famboni II Agreement
2001
Comoros (Anjouan)
Accord du Cessez-le-feu entre le Gouvernement de Transition du Burundi et le CNDD-FDD
The Ohrid Agreement
2001
Macedonia
Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Intent
Accord de reforme et concorde civile
2001
Djibouti
Agreement on Security Arrangements During the Interim Period 2003
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
Agreement on the transitional arrangements in the Comoros
Comoros (Anjouan)
Declaration of Fundamental Principles for the
2003
Estonia After the fall of the Soviet Union, further tensions and risks of an armed conflict in Estonia was prevented through a combination of different actions.
Nepal In November 2006, a comprehensive peace agreement concluded between the government och Nepal and the communist party of Nepal (Maoist).
ACEH (INDONESIA) In the wake of the 2004 tsunami international pressure from donors led to peace-talks and negotiations which led to a Peace Agreement being signed in 2005, thus putting an end to decades of armed conflict in the region.
EGYPT In the spring of 2011, peaceful and non-violent demonstrations at the Tahrir Square in Cairo led to the fall of the Mubarak regime and the beginning of a process towards democracy and respect for human rights in Egypt.
MOZAMBIQUE A catholic non-government organisation, an Italian politician and a bishop from Mozambique succeeded in getting the fighting parties to sign a peace-agreement in 1992. This meant an end of more than 20 years of conflict.
Accra Peace Agreement
2003
Liberia
Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on Power Sharing
2004
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
Accra Ceasefire Agreement
2003
Liberia
Accra II
2003
Ivory Coast
Framework on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-Interim and Interim Period
2004
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accords
2003
Ivory Coast
Inter-Congolese Political Negotiations - The Final Act
2003
Democratic Republic of Congo
Accord general de paix entre le gouvernement de la republique du Senegal el le Mouvement des forces democratique de la Casamace (MFDC)
2004
Senegal (Casamance)
Accra III
2004
Ivory Coast
Burundi
Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement
2005
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
Burundi
Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Free Aceh Movement
2005
Indonesia (Aceh)
Pretoria Agreement on the Peace Process in Côte d’Ivoire
2005
Ivory Coast
The Global Ceasefire agreement between Transitional Government and the Forces pour la defence de la democratie (CNDD-FDD) of Mr. Nkúrunziza The Pretoria Protocol on Outstanding Political, Defence and Security Power Sharing Issues in Burundi
2003 2003
The Pretoria Protocol on Political, Defence and Security Power Sharing in Burundi
2003
Burundi
The Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on the Resolution of Conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States
2004
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
The Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on the Resolution of Conflict in Abyei Area
2004
Sudan (Southern Sudan)
Cooperation for Peace and Unity (CPAU) in Afghanistan News about Afghanistan seldom contains many positive stories. Most of the media reporting from the country is about the war, conflicts, poverty and negative developments. But there are positive stories to be told about successful projects, especially at local grass-root levels. The work of CPAU provides one example. Text by Christoffer Burnett-Cargill
20 
P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
A
fghanistan has undergone several
Osama Bin Laden and other wealthy Ar-
only solution for Afghanistan. Peace must
devastating wars throughout its
abs, who continued to bankroll the Taliban
ultimately be brought about by simulta-
history. In the contemporary era
Islamic Emirates. This policy provided the
neous top down and bottom up political
from 1973 and beyond, we saw the end of
space for these wealthy terrorist groups to
processes, which require true reconcilia-
the monarchy and the emergence of the
consolidate their powers and establish a
tion and reintegration processes. There is
Republic of Afghanistan. This was followed
government within a government. On Sep-
a limit as to the extent international forces
by the Soviet invasion in 1979 and a 10-
tember 11, 2001, these terrorists planned
are able to provide peace and security
year Soviet occupation that resulted in the
and carried out their attacks on the United
in Afghanistan and help with the Afghan
killing of between 600,000 and two million
States, which changed the course of his-
nation-building. Based on widespread
Afghans and in making about 6 million
tory in Afghanistan once again. US and
international experiences, peace should
Afghans refugees, mainly in neighbouring
British led international military forces
increasingly be built from the bottom-up,
Pakistan and Iran. After the Islamic State
toppled the Taliban government in their ef-
in parallel with top-down national, inter-
of Afghanistan was created by Mujahiddin
forts to fight Al Qaeda, and the new Karzai
national and regional peace efforts, and
forces in 1992, civil war broke out between
government was formed through a political
through the strengthening of an emerging
seven leading Mujahiddin parties which re-
process agreed in Bonn in Germany. The
civil society in Afghanistan.
sulted in hundreds of thousands of civilian
International Security Assistance Force
deaths. The continuing chaos led to public
(ISAF) was established to help provide
Establishment of CPAU
disgust with the warring factions, providing
basic security in Afghanistan. From 2002
With these very same principles in mind a
the opportunity for an organized group of
onward, the Taliban began regrouping
small group of committed Afghans began
Pakistani Madrasa trained students, called
while more coalition troops entered the
in October 1996 to look for another way
the Taliban to take control of power in
escalating war with the insurgents. Despite
to help Afghanistan become a peace-
Kabul in 1996. The ensuing struggle by the
some progress in social and economic de-
ful nation. They met together and talked
Taliban to control the entire country led to
velopment, several thousand Afghans and
about forming an organization through
several reported massacres by both sides.
ISAF members have been killed through-
which they would be able to expand their
out these years, including many civilians.
objectives and try to promote true peace
din’s policy of hosting many thousands
in Afghanistan. Eventually they established
of trained Arab militants from the time of
efforts, mainly by non-military and civil so-
Cooperation for Peace and Unity (CPAU),
the Jihad against the Soviet Union and
ciety organizations and actors, to promote
a non-governmental organization. CPAU
the subsequent civil war, individuals like
the notion that a military victory is not the
is working for the promotion of knowledge
The Taliban continued the Mujahid-
There have been many sustained
PHOTO: BĂśrje Almqvist / SAK
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21
“CPAU’s peacebuilding programme is one of the major successes”
building and research work, and covers through its peacebuilding and peace education work the following provinces in Afghanistan: Takhar, Kalakan, Kapisa, Kabul, Kunduz.
and awareness of peace, social justice
equip them with the skills to transform
and human rights as the foundation
conflicts.
Peacebuilding in Afghanistan
upon which the nation-building efforts in
When reporting from Afghanistan, one
Afghanistan should be based. Through
the peacebuilding programme are adults,
mostly hears tragic stories about the
direct encouragement and participation in
the organization also holds the view that
conflicts and wars, negative developments
active peacebuilding through training and
new generations of young people are as
and poverty. Far too seldom are any posi-
educational programmes, CPAU hopes
vulnerable to conflict issues as adults.
tive stories told, especially from the local
to contribute to the creation of a viable
Hence CPAU also provides Peace Educa-
levels, of successful examples of peaceful
alternative to war and violence, as the first
tion in schools, through its internationally
conflict resolution initiatives.
step towards building lasting peace.
recognized education curriculum from
grades one to twelve. The programme
is one of the major successes coming
through district Peace Councils and local
is carried out extensivly through CPAU
out of the war-torn country. It has been
Peace Committees. In the absence of a
Peace Educators. Currently more than
running in Afghanistan since its inception
centralized government and its judicial
50,000 students have been trained in the
in 1996. CPAU can actually demonstrate
bodies, Afghans traditionally are adept at
peace education curriculum across the
through case studies the effectiveness of
resolving their inter-communal conflicts
country.
its approach to peaceful conflict resolu-
themselves. While this is a cherished
tion at local levels. It has so far contributed
practice, the approach sometimes con-
community actors to encourage and en-
to peaceful relations at inter-provincial,
tradicts basic concepts of human rights
able national organisations to mainstream
district and local village levels throughout
and democratic principles. Identifying this
peacebuilding and conflict resolution
Afghanistan, contributing to building a
issue, from its inception almost 16 years
practices into their programme activities.
peaceful nation and civil society from the
ago, CPAU provides new training and
These include capacity building, training,
bottom-up.
coaching methods in conflict resolution
coaching, evaluation, and secondment of
skills, negotiation skills, and listening skills
CPAU staff members to these organisa-
Kalakan District
to enable communities to develop their
tions, including international organisations
One example of successful peacebuilding
own pro-active problem-solving skills.
such as CARE International, Action Aid
at local level is the peacebuilding pro-
etc. CPAU covers more than 25 provinces
gramme through Kalakan Peace Council,
of Afghanistan through both its peace-
an extensive network of councils covering
CPAU works with local communities
The training also builds co-operation
and trust to reconcile communities and
While CPAU’s main beneficiaries for
CPAU also works with the other aid
CPAU’s peacebuilding programme
the whole geographic area of Kalakan. Photo: CHRISTOFFER BURNETT-CARGILL
Eight local Peace and Development Committees (PDCs) are operational in Kalakan. All members are selected by their own communities, and four individuals are chosen to perform the following roles: Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Finance and Administration officers. From these councils 3-5 people, depending on the population of the communities, are selected to represent the local council at the district Peace Council (PC), which comprises 33 members in total. The district PC meets monthly and also arranges ad-hoc emergency meetings when and as needed. A log-book of conflicts resolved are kept with the Council’s secretariat. Conflicts that are not resolved are not recorded.
22
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KUNDUZ
JAWZJAN
CPAU believes embedding the
new conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills requires sustained and
SAMANGAN
FARYAB
continuous interaction with the
BAGHLAN
SARI PUL
communities. Hence various
PARWAN
as has been the case
KALAKAN
GHOR
ing conflict resolution
KABUL
WARDAK
DAY KUNDI
NURISTAN
ISA KAP
BAMYAN
HIRA T
ER
SH
NJ
PA
BADGHIS
training sessions are held, with Kalakan PC, includ-
BADAKHSHAN
TAKHAR
BALKH
KUNAR
AN
M GH
LA
NANGARHAR LOGAR
and peacebuilding skills,
PAKTYA
GHAZNI
KHOST
LEFT
and refresher courses in peacebuilding, register-
CPAU covers
URUZGAN
FARA H
through its peacebuilding and peace education work the provinces Kunduz, Takhar, Kabul and Kapisa, while their research activities are almost in all provinces in the North and South West Afghanistan.
PAKTIKA
ing and recording conflicts
ZABUL
addressed by the peace councils, and gender issue training.
HILMAND
Peace Councils and Peace
Committees are not only used
KANDAHAR
NIMROZ
as a tool by the local
FAR BOTTOM LEFT The district Peace Council meets monthly and also arranges ad-hoc emergency meetings when and as needed.
community to resolve their inter-communal conflicts but also as an advocacy vehicle to influence positively the local government’s policy towards improving the livelihood and provision of services to them. Hence
a total absence of violent conflict. The
CPAU’s training course on Advocacy in
Afghan government also declared Kala-
Model for rest of Afghanistan
Good Governance was also delivered to
kan as a ‘Peace District’. In this context
The Kalakan district is said to be one of
many peace council members, including
it should be recalled that this area had
the most peaceful districts in Afghanistan.
modules on influencing policy-makers,
been one of the most war-torn areas in
They have also inspired 7 other districts
developing advocacy messages and
Afghanistan. Much credit for this devel-
and wish to continue to be a model for all
building community engagement through
opment goes to CPAU’s peacebuilding
of Afghanistan. In the continued absence
democratic activities (e.g. encouraging
and conflict resolution efforts through
of central government judicial bodies to
electors to vote in order to “punish” unre-
the PC and the PDCs.
address conflicts at community level, the
sponsive officials at the ballot box).
role of community Shura and community-
community disputes are over resources
driven peacebuilding initiatives are a must.
tablished in the middle of 2009. With 32
including land and water. Scarcity of water
At the local level, conflict resolution needs
members this peace council addresses
and the lack of proper irrigation manage-
the involvement of local people if it is to
disputes between women, and other fam-
ment systems are often the biggest cause
be sustainable. Focusing on local conflict
ily disputes which involve women in the
of conflict. Root causes of conflicts are
resolution and publicising positive stories
communities. Their activities, like other
also poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
from successful cases and examples will
PDC’s are not limited to peacebuilding
contribute to the future peace in Afghani-
and conflict resolution but also to advo-
have been resolved by community mem-
cating the rights of women and women in
bers approaching the PCs and PDCs.
conflict. This PDC covers the central area
The members then mediate and try to
of Kalakan, but not the whole district.
find out the real causes of the conflict.
In addition, a female PDC was es-
Traditionally the majority of local
At the community level, conflicts
stan. ▣
Solutions are found through agreements,
‘Peace District’
compensation and reconciliation. Tradi-
It was an extremely enriching experi-
tional compensations such as giving away
ence to visit the Kalakan district in May
women are not accepted. Conflict resolu-
2011. In the previous 2 months there
tion is now fully based on human rights
had been no violent conflict reported
principles.
FURTHER INFORMATION: www.cpau.org.af
in the district. The community claimed
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23
Peace Shuras The dispute of sharing water
Relations between the neighbours quickly
ing with local disputes, further increasing
broke down and both sides attempted
the trust gained by the peace council
to use force to settle the dispute in their
system.
favour. Once they realised that neither could win by force, they attempted to
Building bridges of trust
Two people in Meya Karez had a dispute
mediate amongst themselves. Finding
In May 2010, in the course of a business
over the sharing of water for their land,
that they could not reach agreement,
transaction between a glass seller and
which had escalated to violence between
they requested that the Sayed Abad PDC
a man for whose house he was provid-
them. Although they had referred their dis-
intervene, and after PDC members had
ing windows, a mistake was made in the
pute to the government courts at district
met the parties individually they both
measurements, and an argument erupted.
level, officials were unable or unwilling to
agreed to sit with the PDC in negotiations.
It soon turned violent, firstly between the
resolve their conflict, and so the dispute
At first the PDC insisted that the individu-
two men, and then involving their families.
was brought before the Quchi PDC. The
als themselves should come to agree-
During an attack by the glass seller’s fam-
PDC intervened by going to visit both
ment, but finding this was impossible, they
ily on the buyer, the buyer’s son shot and
parties involved to explore options for set-
reached agreement that they would both
killed the glass seller. Both the glass buyer
tling the dispute. After several meetings,
accept the authority of the PDC to come
and his son then fled to Pakistan. After the
both sides accepted measures towards
to a decision, and this decision would be
killing, neither side was able to contact
mediation, and met face-to-face in April
accepted by both sides. Finally the PDC
the other and no mechanism could be
2010 to discuss ways of using the water
argued that the wall should be built further
engaged to resolve the conflict.
supply in equitable shifts. The group of
away, or compensation should be paid.
mediators included a Mowlawi [religious
Seeing the equitable decision made by
married and the marriage had to be
leader], on whose authority both parties
the PDC, and the good faith shown by his
postponed, the bride’s family approached
could forgive each other for past violence.
neighbour, the neighbour who first dis-
the Kalakan Peace Council to mediate and
The involvement of the PDC enabled the
agreed with the building of the wall asked
attempt to find a resolution that would be
two protagonists to accept a system of
that it should not be knocked down.
accepted by all sides. Engagement with
sharing the water supply, and the conflict
the Peace Council meant that the ANP
was resolved without facing any major
the conflict not only halted the escalation
and members of the victim’s family were
challenge.
of bad feeling and violence between the
dissuaded from trying to capture or kill
neighbours, but also demonstrated the
the perpetrator, and although he could not
body’s impartiality and efficiency in cop-
return to the community, he could live in
Both sides told the mediators that
while the dispute languished in the hands
Once again, the PDC’s resolution of
Because the killer was due to be
of the district administrator, the PDC
exile without being in constant fear for his
resolved it quickly and equitably, and com-
life. Members of the Peace Council then
munity relations were re-established com-
identified and met with influential mem-
pletely. The resolution demonstrated to
bers of the victims’ family to ask whether
other communities within the district that
forgiveness could be granted, and what
the PDC was trustworthy and effective,
deyat (compensation) would be accept-
unlike other justice mechanisms including
able to the family under Sharia law. The
the local Malik and government courts.
murderers’ family have accepted that they
The solution of a border dispute
will need to pay a large amount of compensation, but as they could not afford the initial demands, negotiations are still ongo-
Two neighbours in Mir Ha village of
ing.
Kalakan district had adjacent land, and
despite an agreement to leave a 2.5m border between them for a pathway, one neighbour constructed a new house wall across the divid-
The efforts of the Peace Council gave the protagonists the space to discuss and build trust without resorting to further violence, and prevented further killings or expulsions from
ing land. The other neighbour
the community. Although the
requested that construction
dispute is not fully resolved, the
stop, and declared that he would stop the construction by force if necessary.
24
P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
standing and trust shown to the Peace Council has increased in the entire district.
Photo: Majid Saeedi / Getty Images
They fight for peace! Another one of CPAU’s projects involves young girls and women in Afghanistan, fighting for peace! The idea is to get them involved in sports in order to stay out of war. Sports bring people together.
The symbolism of boxing is apparent, but it is not about violence or fighting, it is about building self-confidence and competing for achieving goals, challenging stereotypes in the society, dreaming and believing in a different future.
LEFT Razia is a 21-year-old woman. She is studying political science and international relations. She is one of the best ‘heavy weight’ women boxers in Afghanistan. Her dream is to become World Champion in boxing! ‘After that I want to become Foreign Minister and then President in Afghanistan’, she said.
CPAU sees training women to box
as a good way to affect culture. Kanishka Nawabi, at CPAU, says that the women set a good example, because they box for sport and for peace, not for violence. ‘Afghanistan has been through a very violent conflict and sport was not separated from this process. What we are trying to do is to support and encourage peace for this group, as a cultural model. Yes, these
LEFT Shabnam is a 17-year-old girl. She was one of the first Afghan girls that ever participated in an international boxing tournament. ‘I wanted to show a different picture of Afghanistan to the rest of the world’, she said. ‘I dream of participating in the Olympic Games 2012 in London’.
women box, but not for violence!’ In the Kabul Girls Boxing Team, women from all parts of Afghanistan are brought together. But boxing is not the only thing that the women do when they get together. They also discuss ways to end conflicts without violence. By boxing together, they are fighting to end war. CPAU sees the team as an important example of Afghan hopes for a peaceful future, and therefore, calls this project Fighting for Peace.
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25
Peace initiatives in
Manipur
India
For over half a century, the Manipuri people have lived a life marked by lawlessness and violence. People are yearning for change, and there are several examples of peace initiatives carried out in the region. There is a need to highlight these peace initiatives as they are rarely presented in the national media. Not all peace initiatives have led to concrete solutions in Manipur. Nevertheless, peace initiatives made by courageous people inspire others to hope and also indicate alternative methods to the use of violence. Text by Christina Eriksson
N
o other region in India or in South
human rights violations and deprived
age the situation there. The AFSPA were
Asia has been subjected to such
many innocent people of their lives.
introduced, and this was the beginning of
a prolonged violent struggle as
numerous killings and gross human rights
Lawlessness and violence perme-
in the Northeast, which consists of a total
ates the entire society, but the people in
violations throughout Manipur.
of eight states, with Manipur being one of
Manipur have campaigned for a long time
them.
to repeal the AFSPA. Therefore, we aim to
named Lourembam Ibomcha was taken
focus on a few examples of peace initia-
away by the Army on mere charges of
tives in Manipur.
having planted a bomb. He was subjected
This conflict can be traced back to
1949 when Manipur became a member
In December 1980, a young man
to cruel torture, and it was later revealed
of the Indian Union. The integration with India met great resistance. The Northeast
The Women Torch Bearers
that the charges were false. The Nisha
region was populated by diverse ethnic,
In northeastern India, there has been a
Bandis marched with torches and pro-
linguistic and religious groups, and the
long tradition where women have played a
tested until he was released. This group of
majority felt weak ethnic affinity with the
major role in peace and social movements
women were later called the Meira Paibis,
bulk of the Indian population. Separat-
and where the concept of solidarity is very
the word “Meira” means “Burning Light”
ist rebel movements emerged, and this
strong.
and “Paibis” means “The hand that holds
marked the beginning of a long and
the burning light”.
violent struggle dominating everyday life in
Torch Bearers, is a unique and respected
Manipur.
non-violent organisation, which consists of
achievement in 2004. A young woman
The Meira Paibis, or the Women
The Meira Paibis obtained a real
hundreds of thousands of members who
Thangjam Manorama was accused of be-
unable to deal with the situation of insur-
are active in every locality in Manipur. They
ing a dangerous member of the Separatist
gency, they enacted the Armed Forces
have become the most active and impor-
People’s Liberation Army. The charges
Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in 1958. Ma-
tant group to protest against human rights
against her never resulted in any judicial
nipur was soon to fall under its ambit. The
violations in Manipur. They also intervene
review of whether she was guilty or not.
AFSPA enables certain special powers to
in family and marital disputes, and they
Instead, she was raped and killed by the
be conferred upon the members of the
have played a vital role in the protection of
Indian armed forces. Wild protests spread
armed forces in disturbed areas, as in the
their community’s rights over the issues of
all over Manipur by various activist groups
case of Manipur. The Indian military and
territorial integrity.
who wanted justice. Powerful protests took
the para-military forces have unfettered
place by members of the Meira Paibis,
power and guaranteed immunity from
1970s, when a group of women started
who stripped naked behind a banner that
prosecution, upon arresting and shoot-
out as a source of support to tackle the
said, “Indian Army rape us”. This action
ing suspected insurgents found in areas
social issues that appeared in Manipur.
forced the state government to respond.
where the law applies. Many of the se-
The Indian Prime Minister came to Ma-
curity forces have taken the law into their
Manipur was declared as a disturbed area
nipur and moved the base of the armed
own hands, which has resulted in gross
since the Government could not man-
forces camp from a place called Kangla to
Since the State government was
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P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
The group can be traced back to the
Furthermore, in September 1980
PHOTO: AP PHOTO / STR
LEFT Women from the Meira Paibis protesting against the violence perpetrated by the Indian Army.
another area. He also selected a commit-
is a future challenge for the movement to
tee to review the AFSPA and the atrocities
deal with. Binalakshmi Nepram, who is a
that took place. The Committee submit-
writer-activist and also one of the founders
ted its report in June 2005. Although the
of the movement, was inspired by Shirin
report was never formerly published, it
Ebadi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner of
ended up on the Internet for everyone to
2003. During a meeting between the two,
read. The Committee’s recommendations
Shirin said that if a movement is contro-
were clear – the AFSPA was inadequate
versial, the movement could not win. Shirin
and had become a symbol of oppression
referred to her own work in Iran, where
and hatred and needed to be repealed.
she had to speak in terms of women’s and
There have been attempts to divide the
children’s rights instead of human rights.
group, but the Meira Paibis are still going
She also pointed out that a good peace
strong in Manipur. However, the absence
initiative should have a vision and provide
and exclusion of women from decision
guidance to the people. The Right to Life
making is a major problem in Manipur. For
movement is currently working with several
example, the Northeast Indian Women
issues, not only with the repeal of the AF-
Initiative for Peace was created to get
SPA. They are also working with specific
women from villages to the negotiating
views held by the society. Manipur is char-
table.
acterised by a patriarchal structure where
ABOVE Irom Sharmila Chanu has been on a hunger strike for more than 10 years. Sharmila is a civil right activist who uses her body in a non violent manner as a protest against the widespread violence in Manipur. The escalating violence caused her to do something more meaningful than just arranging a peace rally. Since Sharmila started protesting, she has been kept in an almost continuous detention and she has been force-fed everyday, through a rubber tube going through her nose in order to keep her alive. In an interview given in 2008 she said “until and unless they remove that very Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, I shall never stop my fasting”. The Government has not yet met any of Sharmila’s demands.
men and their words and their policies are
The right to life
held to a high esteem. It is a society where
On the 4th September 2011, a new
people still celebrate if the newborn child
movement called “The Right to Life”
is a boy, and where many newborn girls
started, and currently there is an ongo-
die. It is also men who are responsible for
ing campaign throughout Manipur. The
the violence and bloodshed, taking place
movement has grown rapidly and after
in the state. Understanding this reality,
only two weeks, they had more than 2000
“Youth Networks” have been formed,
supporters. The Right to Life movement
which is a women led initiative for peace
refers to the Indian Constitution Article 21
that aims to highlight the views of the
which states that: “No one person shall be
society. The network consists of young
deprived of his life or personal liberty ex-
men who are made sensitive to the issues
cept according to procedure established by law”. This procedure must be fair and
of peace. ▣
FURTHER INFORMATION: The Women Torch Bearers www.meirapaibis.com Northeast Indian Women Initiative for Peace http://neiwip.blogspot.com Control Arms Foundation of India www.cafi-online.org Manipur and Sharmila www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CX_ FLJxnXY&feature=related
just for the people in all of India, which
2 0 11 | P E A C E M O N I TO R
27
PHOTO: Aida Burnett-Cargill for Diakonia
Parents Circle
Israel/Palestine
The conflicts in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians, are regarded by many as the most difficult international conflict to be resolved. Many Israeli/Palestinian peace initiatives at the highest political levels have been undertaken throughout the past 20 years, including signed peace accords, without leading to any major achievement towards peace. Failed political processes for years have led many people to believe that peace is either not possible or presently achievable. Text by CHRISTOFFER BURNETT-CARGILL AND LINNEA ÅHS
H
owever, when politicians at the
of seeking revenge and instigating further
people, step by step, and build a momen-
highest levels fail to agree on
violence, they have sought to reconcile with
tum that involves more and more people in
peace, different initiatives and
victims from the other side that have similar
the societies.
successful peace projects can often be
experiences.
found within civil societies, especially
theparentscircle.org), they strive to offer a
among people at the local levels. The
when the people that have suffered the
breakthrough in people’s frame of mind,
Parents Circle is such an example. Here,
most, loosing a family member in the
to allow a change of perception, a chance
victims among both Israelis and Palestin-
conflict, decide to reconcile with the other
to re-consider one’s views and attitudes
ians have found common ground. Be-
side, realising that continued violence will
towards the conflict and the other side. The
reaved families, victims from both sides,
only lead to increased suffering. When
Forum’s activities are a unique phenome-
have started a joint reconciliation mission.
politicians cannot conclude peace deals,
non, in that they continue during all political
All the members have lost immediate fam-
ordinary people on both sides can decide
circumstances and in spite of all tensions
ily members due to the conflict and they
to reconcile and work together to spread
and violence in the region. The members
have come to the conclusion that instead
the message that peace is possible among
initiate and lead projects throughout the
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P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
It is, indeed, a powerful message
As stated on their homepage (www.
LEFT Robi Damelin of the Parents’ Circle briefs journalists during a press conference to the United Nations, on an exhibit entitled “Offering Reconciliation”. BELOW Following is a quote from Desmond M. Tutu, Letter to The Parents Circle – Families Forum, April 2004: “Peace is possible when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable (…) the members of the Parents Circle have experienced this truth In the depths of their Suffering and loss. They have found that there Is more that unites us than Divides us, that we are All members of one family, the human family (…)”
PHOTO: Jean-Marc Ferré / UN PHOTO
PHOTO: Paulo Filgueiras / UN PHOTO
Israeli and Palestinian communities.
ings and doubts. David, who became an
with an aching pain that she carries with
Following are some personal stories from
officer, joined a group of other officers that
her everywhere she goes. Daily activities
some members:
did not want to serve in the occupied ter-
were no longer important and Robi felt
(source: www.theparentscircle.com)
ritories and went to all the demonstrations
that the projects she had been involved in
they had. After the army, David went to
earlier no longer had any meaning.
Understanding the other side
Tel Aviv University to study and eventually
started teaching. Later on, when he got
founder of the Bereaved Families Forum,
STORY OF ROBI DAMELIN
called for military service, his previous
came to visit her, she hesitated at first but
Robi came to Israel from South Africa in
issue once again came into question; he
decided to join a seminar. She didn’t feel
1967 to work as a volunteer after the Six
didn’t want to go and especially not in the
convinced at first, however, the more time
Day War, thinking that she would only stay
occupied areas. He eventually decided to
she spent there the more she felt that she
there for a couple of months. In her home
go since he didn’t want to let his soldiers
wanted to be a part of something that
country she had been active in the anti-
down. He wanted to set an example to the
could make a difference. Robi says that
apartheid movement, but grew tired of the
younger ones and treat everybody, Pales-
one of the first things she learned was
infected and ugly debate and decided to
tinian or Israeli, with respect.
how to not be patronising against Palestin-
leave for Israel. What began as a plan of
ians, thinking that she knows best, and to
only staying for 6 months eventually turned
David that filled her with a terrible premo-
be a much less judgmental person than
into marriage and two children. When she
nition. David explained that he had done
before.
later got divorced, she moved together
everything he could, but he felt that he
with her two sons, David and Eran, to Tel
was stuck in a terrible place. The following
Families Forum Robi says; “It’s something
Aviv. When David told her that he wanted
morning Robi couldn’t sleep and went to
I feel almost duty-bound to be doing; it’s
to join the army, Robi was very surprised.
work earlier than she used to. She had a
not a favour that I’m doing for anyone else
He was a very gifted musician and out of
restless feeling and didn’t want to be at
but a personal mission almost. I know this
his art class he was probably the only one
home. Soon she found out that David was
works. I believe removing the stigma from
who chose that path. However, David was
killed by a sniper at a checkpoint, together
each side and getting to know the person
torn because he didn’t want to serve in
with nine other people. After loosing her
on the other side allows for a removal of
the occupied territories and as time went
son, Robi felt as if her life was totally
fear, and a way to understand that a long-
on he told his mother about his question-
changed forever. Still the same person, but
term reconciliation process is possible”.
One day, Robi received a call from
When Yitzhak Frankenthal, the
About the work in the Bereaved
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29
PHOTO: Aida Burnett-Cargill for Diakonia
Tools for Peace STORY OF Aziz Sarah Aziz grew up in Jerusalem and like many others, he saw people around him die becuase of a ”worthless conflict”. Aziz sympathized with them but his life continued on just as it always had, until that one day when disaster hit Aziz’s own family. It all started one early morning in the spring of 1990. Aziz and four of his brothers who shared a room, was awaken by Israeli soldiers who burst in where the boys were sleeping. They asked for their identity cards and started to question them. The soldiers wanted to know what they had been doing last night and especially if they had been throwing stones at them. The brothers didn’t answer so the soldiers took with them Aziz’s 18-
Aaron and Mazen of the Parents Circle, telling their personal stories to Swedish Parliamentarians visiting Jerusalem in 2007 on a study tour organised by the Swedish NGO Diakonia.
year old brother Tayseer. It would take 11 months until they would be able to hold
his understanding and ideas of the Jewish
Yom Kippur in October 1973, Rami was a
him again. After beeing interrogated and
people was completely demolished. He
soldier caught up in the middle of a war.
beaten Tayseer admitted throwing stones
saw faces different from those of the sol-
There he lost many of his good friends
at the Israeli cars and was kept in prison
diers that had taken his brother and found
and Rami found himself getting out of the
without trial. During his time in prison his
that these students were the same as him.
war as an angry and cynical man. When
health got worse and when he finally was
For Aziz, his time at the institute became
he was released from the army he started
released his condition was critical and
a turning point in his life. He started to
to build himself a new life with family and
he was rushed to the hospital. There he
realize that he had a choice in life. He
career and on another Yom Kippur eve-
only lasted for three weeks until he died
could put aside the rage and abandon the
ning in 1983, his daughter Smadar was
after a surgery. By that time Aziz was 10
feelings of revenge he had felt his whole
born in Jerusalem. Rami lived together
years old. He could not accept the death
life and instead choose to love and forgive
with his family in what he calls a calm and
of his brother and started to become very
those around him.
happy bubble surrounding them.
bitter and angry. He felt that someone was
responsible for the unnatural death of his
has realized that hatred begets hatred.
in a September afternoon in 1997, just
brother and Aziz grew up with a constant
”Maybe I will never see the world restored
a few days before Yom Kippur. Smadar
need for revenge.
to perfect humanity, but I still feel obli-
and her 14 year old friends had gone
gated to believe that the tools for peace
to buy some books for their upcoming
a magazine. There he became a diligent
are not tools of violence and hatred. More
school year when two Palestinian suicide
writer who used his pain to spread hatred
than this, I feel obligated to use my pain to
bombers detonated bombs that killed
against the other side. The articles earned
spread peace, rather than using it to fuel
five people that day, among them Smadar
him success and the position of editor
a hatred that would have eventually con-
and her three friends. The following week
at the magazine. However, the more he
sumed me. I believe we are all obligated
Rami and his family were constantly sur-
wrote, the more he felt an emptiness build-
to do our best to create peace, and not
rounded by supporting and comforting
ing up and eventually he grew tired of the
wait until it hits home. After all, there is no
people, all day and all night. But eventu-
anger and quit the magazine. During his
good war or bad peace”.
ally these people disappeared and Rami
high school years, Aziz had refused to
and his family found themselves alone in
In high school, he started to write for
It’s not always easy work but Aziz
However, this bubble abruptly burst
language. But now he found himself stuck
To turn the bad into something good
since it was necessary to know Hebrew to
STORY OF Rami Elchanan
would he do with his new and unknown
attend the university or to be able to get a
Rami has a personal story that he thinks
terrible ache? He had suddenly become
good job. He started studying at an insti-
begins and also ends on a particular day
a completely different person and didn’t
tute for Jewish newcomers to Israel. There,
of the Jewish calendar – Yom Kippur. On
know what do to now that all his previous
learn Hebrew thinking it was the enemy’s
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P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
their grief. Rami had to decide what do next and where to go from there. What
ther’s death and the fact that the land had
instinct was the most natural and immedi-
been occupied by Jews. Osama’s father’s
ate one; the one of unlimited anger and a
health deteriorated and in 1982, when
strong need for revenge. But Rami eventu-
Osama was 17 years old, his beloved
ally started to reason differently. Would
father died which made life even more dif-
the killing of another human being in
ficult. The occupation also made daily life
revenge bring his daughter back or ease
anything but easy.
his pain? He found that the answer to that
question is no and instead he began ask-
restisance to the occupation and was not
ing himself what he could do to prevent
involved in any political party. He was sim-
this kind of suffering to happen to others.
ply just trying to make a living for him and
his family, yet still he was arrested three
One day, Rami met a man that he
PHOTO: PARENTS CIRCLE
priorities suddenly had vanished. His first
Osama was never engaged in any
Members of Parents Circle lining up for a photo in Hebron.
remembered as one of the many people
times. The last time was in 1990 when he
that had come to see his family those
was suspected of having taken part in
following days after his daughter’s death.
shots that were fired against a settlers’
brought home the same people that had
The man’s name was Yitzchak Frankenthal
bus on its way to Hebron. When arrested,
killed his wife’s brothers. He was told that
and he told Rami about his son who had
he was tortured by the investigators who
they also had lost dear ones in terrorist
been kidnapped and murdered by Hamas
used all kinds of means. Eventually they
attacks and that they only wanted to speak
in 1994. He also talked about this organi-
arrested the real perpetrators and Osama
with him. He was reluctant but decided
zation of people that had lost their family
was released with an apology for the
to listen to what they had to say. He was
members due to the war but who were
torture.
told about the Forum of Bereaved Families
working together in peace. Rami was
and Osama finally agreed to join them as
offended about the fact that this man had
really begins when he met his wife Antisar,
a member. When he told Antisar about the
come to his house to talk about peace.
who’s family also was deeply affected by
Forum and the people he had just met,
The man kept his calm and instead invited
the conflict. One of Antisar’s six brothers
she didn’t believe him, saying that Israelis
Rami to a meeting. At the meeting Rami
was wounded by a dumdum that burst in
are murderers and that they couldn’t
found himself detached and was cynical
his chest when he was 10 years old. An-
understand her ache. But Osama got
and reluctant. But then something hap-
other one could not attend Osama’s and
more involved and when he was invited to
pened that made him undergo a com-
Antisar’s wedding in 1992 since he was
participate in conference he convinced his
plete change. He saw a group of Arabs
imprisoned, and in 2002, another brother,
wife to join him together with his sister and
getting off a bus and approached him.
Kamal, died at the age of 20. Kamal had
her husband. There they met severeal be-
Women and men in all ages greeted him
sworn to take revenge on some Israeli
reaved families and Antisar got to speak to
with hugs and they started to share theirs
soldiers that had stopped and beated him
Israeli families who also had experienced
stories and tears with each other. From
severly at a checkpoint where he used to
loss. ”She felt, for sure, that the pain was
that day on, Rami says he got a reason to
pass when going to work. However, he
the same pain, the suffering the same suf-
get up in the morning. ”Our blood is the
could not find the guilty soldiers and did
fering, and the tears the same tears with
same red color, our suffering is identi-
not fire his gun, but since he was armed
cal, and all of us have the exact same
he became a wanted man and eventually
bitter tears. So, if we, who have paid the
killed in April 2002. A vicious circle was
highest price possible, can carry on a
established.
dialogue, then everyone can!”
However, Osama’s personal story
the same salty taste”. ▣
Tayseer, Kamal’s younger brother
swore to revenge his brother but a year
Experiences that unites
later, Tayseer was also killed for the same
STORY OF Osama Abu Ayash
reason as his brother. The deaths of her
Osama grew up in a family where he was
brothers broke Antisar down. Osama
constantly reminded of the effects of the
had to quit his job to take care of her
ongoing conflict. Osama’s father was only
and their children. A few months later, his
able to do light work since he suffered
wife’s condition had improved and one
from a heart condition as a result of the
day Osama saw an Israeli car parked
loss of his father in the war in 1948. He
nearby his sister where they had gone to
was told about the pain and bitterness his
visit. When he found out they were Jews
father had felt towards Osama’s grandfa-
he became angry with his sister who had
FURTHER INFORMATION: www.theparentscircle.com
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PHOTO: Jean-Marc Ferré / UN PHOTO
Questions & Answers with
Margot Wallström Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict
On 2 February 2010 the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki- Moon, appointed Margot Wallström as the first-ever Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Her mission is to prevent sexual violence used as a weapon of war and to strengthen women’s participation in peace processes. Sexual violence has since long been used as a deliberate strategy of warfare, especially against women and children, and is an effective method of breaking down a society. Wallström’s mission may seem impossible, however, there has been some progress made in terms of UN resolutions adopted by the Security Council. It is now recognised that systematic rape can constitute a threat to international peace and security and furthermore, there are increased opportunities to bring perpetrators to justice. Ending the culture of impunity and establishing justice are important cornerstones of peacebuilding, according to Wallström. Read more in the interview about what she has to say about peace initiatives and methods of peaceful conflict resolution.
32
P E A C E M O N I TO R | 2 0 11
PM: Do you think that successful peace
I wish this received more attention. This
PM: In what way do you find inspiration
initiatives and success stories in peace
is not a peace agreement as such, but
to work with the hard issues that you are
work are highlighted enough out to the
peace without justice is not sustainable
dealing with as a Special Representative
public?
and fighting impunity is therefore very
on Sexual Violence in Conflict?
important. As difficult as it is, in my work I meet
No, I think a lot more can be done to also highlight good examples and not only
PM: Are there any common factors as
amazing women – and men – that give
shortcomings of peace initiatives. This is
to why different peace agreements have
me inspiration. At times I also get angry,
why I helped launch an Inventory of best
failed? Are there recurring mistakes that
and I think that energy is needed to keep
peacekeeping practices [see recomend-
are made too often?
fighting this scourge – to ultimately stop rape now. ▣
ed reading at end of page] last year. That women are not allowed to particiPM: Why do you think the media seldom
pate in negotiations and peace agree-
highlights these initiatives?
ments. How can you expect a lasting and just peace when half of the population is
The media logic dictates that in general
excluded? This needs to change now.
conflicts, contradictions, and shortcomings are more interesting to cover than
PM: What more can we (media, civil
success stories – unfortunately.
society and politicians) do to highlight the
methods of peaceful conflict resolution?
PM: In what way do you think we (media, civil society, and politicians) can get
Again, include women from the get-go.
better at highlighting successful peace
We know that too few peace negotiations
initiatives and peace projects?
or agreements have had women present – in fact, in recent peace negotiations
In many different ways, I think, but per-
only eight percent of women have been
haps most compelling are human interest
present, and fewer than three percent
stories. Tell the story of a successful ini-
have been signatories to formal peace
tiative or project using concrete examples
agreements.
and details – that makes the narrative gripping. People tend to relate more to
PM: You are working with women’s rights;
individual stories and one person’s fate
do you believe that sustainable peace
than to numbers, statistics and general
can be achieved without women’s partici-
statements.
pation in some peace processes?
PM: Do you have any examples, and
No, absolutely not, and I simply cannot
experiences, of successful peace agree-
understand how it is possible that still
ments or peace projects at a local level
today this has not been remedied.
which has not been highlighted in the media? (For instance within your work in
PM: What are the most common ob-
UN)
stacles you encounter in your work for the UN regarding women’s situation in wars
My main priority as Special Representa-
and conflicts?
tive of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict is to fight impunity for
That women are excluded – be it in in-
this type of crimes. As such, I’ve ensured
formal or more formal contexts. We know
that we go after the perpetrators and that
from experience that when women are
alleged criminals are pursued through
included and in decision-making posi-
the legal system. We have started doing
tions, the results for everybody are more
this in the Democratic Republic of Congo
sustainable.
RECOMMENDED LINKS AND READING: Inventory of best peacekeeping practices available at www.unifem.org/attachments/products/ Analytical_Inventory_of_Peacekeeping_Practice_online.pdf Wallström Resolution (documentary film) available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHmtMGDlz9U www.unwomen.org
and beyond in a successful manner, and
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Share your peace story! Have you experienced or heard of a peace initiative or a success story somewhere in the world? We would like to know! In different parts of the world where there is an ongoing armed conflict there are also people fighting for a more peaceful society. There are different kinds of peace works initiated by people whose actions indicate alternatives to all forms of violence, oppression and injustice. As a peace movement we want to highlight peace initiatives and what contributes to peace rather than focusing on conflicts. Therefore, we call for your best peace story! Your story can be an important contribution to our next Peace Monitor report. Send us an e-mail to info@svenskafreds.se For further information please visit www.peacemonitor.org
Support Peace Monitor! Donate money for future Peace Monitor reports! In order to continue publishing Peace Monitor reports we need funding. To reach our vision of publishing annual Peace Monitor reports that lists peace initiatives, peace agreements and peace projects in the previous year, we need continued and sustainable funding. If you want to support Peace Monitor please contact Christoffer Burnett-Cargill: E-mail: christoffer@svenskafreds.se You can also support the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society by donating money online, or supporting us on a regular basis by becoming a member. For further information please visit www.svenskafreds.se
Recommended reading People Building Peace II An inspiring collection of stories of how “ordinary” men and women have played a crucial part in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Thematic chapters, illustrated with compelling case studies, present new trends in the role of civil society in conflict transformation. The cases reflect the variety of activities initiated and sustained by a broad range of actors, including women’s groups, youth groups, and faith-based organizations. Such topics as reconciliation, dialogue, networking, and traditional methods of conflict resolution are among the topics throughly explored, as are the successful initiatives of lesser-known NGOs. The resulting rich tapestry, an outcome of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, is an invaluable compendium of best practices and lessons learned, and at the same time a stirring call to action.
Preventive Diplomacy: Delivering Results Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon describes the growing impor-
Preventive DiPlomacy: Delivering results
tance of this practice by the United Nations and its partners, underscoring its potential to save lives and protect development gains. Successful preventive diplomacy is not easy, however building up the world’s collective capacities in this area is “without doubt, one of the smartest investments we can make,” the Secretary-General says in his report.
RepoRt of the SecRetaRy-GeneRal united nations
Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence:
ADDRESSING CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE
AN ANALYTICAL INVENTORY OF PEACEKEEPING PRACTICE
An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice It is 10 years since the watershed Resolution 1325 introduced Women, Peace and Security onto the Security Council’s agenda. The intervening decade has seen progress in expanding our notions of peace and security to include the perspectives of women. Yet efforts to combat conflict-related sexual violence remain woefully weak. Accordingly, peacekeepers must be armed with examples and information to help them operate effectively on the ground.
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THE SWEDISH PEACE AND ARBITRATION SOCIETY (spas) The success story of our organisation is that of forming opinions together with other people, as well as influencing policymakers to make decisions in support of peace. We initiate debates and spread knowledge through seminars, articles, manifestations and letter-writing campaigns. We also support peace projects in different parts of the world and work together with international partners to achieve our goals. Our major aims are to ease tensions, advocate peaceful conflict resolution, speed up disarmament, promote transformation of military resources into development and support democratisation. We believe that conflicts can be solved with peaceful means. SPAS is the world’s oldest and Scandinavia’s largest peace organisation. It was formed in 1883 by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Klas Pontus Arnoldson. The organisation is politically and religiously independent. SPAS is a non-profit organisation with approximately 6000 individual members.
www.svenskafreds.se