Atrocity prevention and Key insights and lessons from a global consultation convened by Peace Direct

Višegrad Bridge: Bosnia and Herzegovina About this report Contents

This report presents the analysis and recommendations of Abbreviations 4 atrocity prevention and peacebuilding experts and practitioners Introduction and methodology 5 from across the globe. Peace Direct held a 4-day online consultation in November and December 2017, in which Definitions and International Frameworks 7 96 participants from the field shared their insights and local Executive Summary 10 experiences. 13 contributing experts facilitated 8 sessions over the course of the consultation covering a variety of topics and Framing session: The peacebuilding and atrocity prevention nexus 14 thematic issues around atrocity prevention. Fostering greater cooperation between peacebuilding and atrocity prevention 15 The report has been edited by Peace Direct while the main Local strategies in atrocity prevention 18 sections of this report include contributions from our guest The role of inclusivity in atrocity prevention 19 experts, as well as from all participants who engaged in the Self-protection on strategies key to atrocity prevention 22 online consultation. The viewpoints presented represent Locally-led reconciliation and healing as atrocity prevention 28 the consensus of participants and experts, while also noting How can sexual and gender-based atrocity crimes be better prevented? 32 dissenting views. Where quotes are unattributed, they are from Youth, peacebuilding and atrocity prevention 39 participants in the online consultation. Engaging the international community in funding and response 44 How local peacebuilders engage with policymakers The contents of this research are the responsibility of Peace on atrocity prevention 45 Direct. The text in this report should not be taken to represent A birds-eye view of donor funding for atrocity prevention 48 the views of any other organisation. A failure in response: the case of 51 Author biographies 54 Acknowledgments Peace Direct would like to extend a very special thanks to Participants 56 our guest experts and participants for their commitment and Endnotes 60 hard work in contributing to this report, and who engaged proactively in the online consultation with respect and without judgement. We benefitted from the insights, comments and recommendations shared by 96 experts and practitioners from around the world in the formulation of strategies to enhance atrocity prevention as it relates to peacebuilding.

2 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 3 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Abbreviations Introduction and methodology

APB Atrocity Prevention Board IPTI Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative It has been more than ten years since world leaders at the United Nations ATCC Peasant Workers Association of the KNWO Karenni National Women’s Organisation World Summit made a commitment to the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Carare River – a shared global responsibility to protect populations from the risk of mass KWAT Kachin Women’s Association of BINUB United Nations Integrated Office in Thailand atrocities. Yet, despite substantial progress in elevating atrocity prevention as Burundi a global goal, civilian populations in far too many places across the world are KWO Karen Women’s Organisation BWU Burmese Women’s Union still suffering from egregious crimes. NGO Non-Governmental Organisation CAR Central African Republic OSAPG UN Office of the Special Advisers for Atrocity crimes – systematic violence perpetrated To explore this further, Peace Direct held a CDA Collaborative Learning Projects the Prevention of and the against civilians – continue to have devastating collaborative online consultation for experts and Responsibility impacts on populations in , South , practitioners interested in this area to discuss CEDAW Convention on all Forms of to Protect Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the nexus between atrocity prevention and Discrimination Against Women Central African Republic (CAR), Iraq, Yemen, and peacebuilding. Over four days in November and PBF (UN) Peace Building Fund beyond. The failure to act promptly in the face of December 2017, 96 expert participants from diverse CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child these growing crimes, despite strong international contexts and with varied expertise from across the R2P/RtoP Responsibility to Protect norms and national legislation, reflects the globe took part in a series of discussions around CRSV Conflict Related Sexual Violence limitations of the international system to prevent these topics in an online forum set up by Peace RSM Rohingya Society of Malaysia CSO Civil Society Organisation and stop these killings. Direct collaborated with guest contributors to SALW Small Arms and Light Weapons analyse the consultation findings. DRC Democratic Republic of Congo More robust peacekeeping and rapid interventions SGBV Sexual and Gender Based Violence have shown some promise, but they are reactive The conversations covered areas such as defining ERRY Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen and attempt to stop mass violence once it is already linkages between atrocity prevention and TEDiiN Teens Educational Development and underway. Effective prevention will require external peacebuilding, the role of local communities in GAAMAC Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Information Initiative responses to be complemented by a longer-term self-protection and reconciliation, and the impact of Crimes Network early prevention that focuses on local capacity donor practices on atrocity prevention efforts. This TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission building and support for actors on the ground, report contains key reflections from their discussions, GPPAC Global Partnership for the Prevention of who experience first-hand the early warning signs captures major insights from participants and Armed Conflict UN United Nations of possible mass atrocity and genocide. Indeed, supplements the consultation proceedings with key local peacebuilders have long engaged in efforts to recommendations from experts in the field. A full list ICC International Criminal Court UNGA United Nations General Assembly bridge divisions in their communities and find local of participants is included on pages 56–59. ICRtoP International Coalition for the UNSC United Nations Security Council solutions to conflict, despite much hardship. The first section of the report focuses on the nexus Responsibility to Protect UNSCR United Nations Security Council between peacebuilding and atrocity prevention. IDP Internally Displaced Persons Resolution Experts from the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) summarise INGO International Non-Governmental WLB Women’s League of Burma the overlap in purpose and complementarity Organisation between peacebuilding and atrocity prevention. This is followed by an article by Steven Leach and Nagwan Al-Ashwal which looks at the different dimensions of inclusivity in the context of peacebuilding and atrocity prevention.

4 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 5 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding The second section of the report focuses on local initiatives that respond to atrocities. Oliver Kaplan Definitions and International and Cristina Serna explore the effectiveness of community self-protection strategies, while Myles Wallingford and Kate Lonergan look at grassroots Frameworks reconciliation efforts and their impact on preventing future atrocities in affected communities.

The third section of the reports looks at the role What are atrocity crimes? : As noted above, ethnic cleansing of marginalised groups in preventing atrocities. Dr is not officially recognised as a distinct crime under Sarah Teitt and Visaka Dharmadasa analyse how local The United Nations Framework of Analysis1 , but entails a purposeful policy peacebuilders can help prevent sexual and gender- for Atrocity Crimes refers to atrocity crimes as designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove, base violence (SGBV). Ehab Badwi then looks at the including three legally defined international crimes – by violent and terror-inspiring means, the civilian role of youth as peacebuilders in engaging in atrocity genocide, , and war crimes – population of another ethnic or religious group from prevention. and ethnic cleansing, which while not defined as an certain geographic areas. Thus, ethnic cleansing is independent crime under international law, includes encompassed in crimes against humanity, which The final section of the report centres on the role acts that are serious violations of international includes the forcible transfer or deportation of of the donor community in supporting local atrocity human rights and humanitarian law that may populations. prevention initiatives and focuses on the level themselves amount to one of the recognised of engagement between local peacebuilders and atrocity crimes. What is atrocity prevention? national, regional and international policymakers Genocide: As defined in the 1948 Convention on atrocity prevention. Brittany Roser reflects Atrocity prevention refers to a broad range of tools on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime on the key opportunities for engagement of all and strategies which aim to prevent the occurrence of Genocide the term “genocide” refers to acts actors on atrocity prevention. Bridget Moix and of mass killings and other large scale human rights committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, Landry Ninteretse then assess the effectiveness of abuses committed against civilians. The terms “mass a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Even the donor community in responding to atrocities, killings” or “mass atrocities” do not have formal though the victims of the crimes are individuals, they looking specifically at the case of Burundi. legally accepted definitions but are commonly are targeted because of their membership, real or understood to refer to large-scale, intentional perceived, in one of these groups. attacks on civilians. Crimes against humanity: Article VII of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (2002)2 defines crimes against humanity as acts that are part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population.

War crimes: Crimes committed against a diversity of victims, either combatants or non-combatants. In international armed conflicts, victims include those specifically protected by the four 1949 and the 1977 Additional Protocol I. It also includes those protected under the 1977 Additional Protocol II. Protection under international humanitarian law in both types of conflicts covers medical and religious personnel, humanitarian workers and civil defence staff.

6 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 7 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding What do we mean by prevention? Responsibility to Protect Sustaining Peace Agenda (R2P or RtoP) In terms of prevention, peacebuilding and atrocity In April 2016, the UN Security Council and General prevention can be seen as both a proximate The Responsibility to Protect is a commitment made Assembly passed the seminal ‘Sustaining Peace’ 9 10 prevention (also referred to as downstream or by world leaders at the United Nations 2005 World resolution (A/RES/70/262 or Resolution 2282 ) operational prevention) and structural prevention Summit8 to protect populations from genocide, war which defines ‘sustaining peace’ as: 3 (or upstream prevention). Proximate prevention has crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. “a goal and a process to build a common vision of a traditionally focused on shorter-term crisis response, R2P is not a law, but rather a political commitment society, ensuring that the needs of all segments of the whereas structural prevention has focused on long- to guide states and sub-regional, regional and population are taken into account, which encompasses term efforts to address root causes such as economic, international arrangements in protecting populations activities aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, social and political exclusion of some groups. from these crimes and violations. continuation and recurrence of conflict, addressing root causes, assisting parties to conflict to end What is peacebuilding? Based on three pillars, this commitment hostilities, ensuring national reconciliation, and moving stipulates that: towards recovery, reconstruction and development, A variety of official and unofficial definitions4 can and emphasising that sustaining peace is a shared 1. The state bears the primary responsibility to be elaborated for peacebuilding. United Nations task and responsibility that needs to be fulfilled by protect its populations from genocide, war Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s 1992 the Government and all other national stakeholders, crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against report, An Agenda for Peace5, defined peacebuilding and should flow through all three pillars of the United humanity. This responsibility entails the as action to solidify peace and avoid relapse into Nations engagement at all stages of conflict, and in prevention of such crimes and violations, conflict. The 2000 Report of the Panel on United all its dimensions, and needs sustained international including their incitement; Nations Peace Operations (also known as the Brahimi attention and assistance.” Report6) defined it as “activities undertaken on the 2. The international community has a responsibility Across the United Nations system, there is now far side of conflict to reassemble the foundations to assist and encourage the state in fulfilling its common agreement that peacebuilding occurs also of peace and provide the tools for building on those protection obligations; at the local level and is best sustained through foundations something that is more than just the inclusive, people-centred approaches. National absence of war.” 3. The international community has a responsibility ownership is not solely understood as concerning to take appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian In 2007, the UN Secretary-General’s Policy the government but also local individuals, whether and other peaceful means to help protect Committee7 agreed on the following conceptual they are part of an NGO, belong to a community- populations from these crimes. The international basis for peacebuilding to inform UN practice: based organisation, or are unaffiliated citizens. community must also be prepared to take “Peacebuilding involves a range of measures targeted collective action, in a timely and decisive manner, to reduce the risk of lapsing or relapsing into conflict by in accordance with the UN Charter, if a state strengthening national capacities at all levels for conflict fails to protect its populations or is in fact the management, and to lay the foundations for sustainable perpetrator of crimes. Such action may entail peace and development. Peacebuilding strategies coercive measures, including the collective use must be coherent and tailored to specific needs of the of force, where appropriate, through the UN country concerned, based on national ownership, and Security Council. should comprise a carefully prioritised, sequenced, and therefore relatively narrow set of activities aimed at achieving the above objectives.”

8 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 9 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Key findings and recommendations Though not exhaustive, below are some Executive summary peacebuilding approaches identified in this report We asked participants to provide examples and that can contribute to the prevention of atrocities: analysis of what types of peacebuilding approaches have worked, what barriers local peacebuilders face, • Building trust and enhancing opportunities for and what it will take for the global community to dialogue, often between minority and majority more effectively prevent future atrocities. Each of ethnic and religious communities, to address the eight thematic sessions generated a series of the earliest stages of conflict, root causes of The global effort to prevent and stop atrocity crimes – genocide, war crimes, detailed recommendations, which you can find in conflict, and long-term disputes over grievances, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing – is enormous and will require a each corresponding section of this report. Below, inequalities and trauma that can lead to atrocities. we highlight some common points, key findings, • Designing and implementing peace education collective, multi-sector approach inclusive of intergovernmental institutions, and recommendations. However, this is not an programmes that seeks to tackle divisions governments, civil society organisations and networks, academia and local exhaustive list – more thematic recommendations within communities. These programmes can, can be found within each section. peacebuilding communities. This report presents crucial knowledge from for example, contribute to diminishing hate, expert peacebuilders across the world that can enrich atrocity prevention Peacebuilding approaches to preventing discrimination, bias and the “dehumanisation of efforts, and suggests ways to continue knowledge-sharing. atrocity crimes the other” that can unpin the origins of atrocities, The peacebuilding and atrocity prevention fields of promote reconciliation and reduce reoccurrence work have historically been considered different, but of atrocities, and diminish the stigma of sexual Our interest in this consultation is first and foremost Without question, the international community, related fields. A key difference between the fields, and gender-based violence on victims and to support and help improve the efforts of local including governments themselves and the United and a reason the distinction is often made at the communities. peacebuilders in preventing mass violence in their Nations and regional organisations, carry a primary policy and funding levels, is that atrocity prevention • Developing non-violent self-protection strategies. local contexts. We also advocate with our partners responsibility to prevent and stop atrocities; is rooted in accountability frameworks such as In the face of impending violence and atrocities, for national and international decision-makers to however, as this report demonstrates, local civil international criminal justice and human rights, communities worldwide have developed strengthen support for local peacebuilding. While society and locally-led peacebuilding approaches while peacebuilding stems from conflict resolution innovative and nonviolent strategies – dependant “atrocity prevention” has been a growing area of play a critical role. We hope the outcomes of and prevention frameworks that seek long-term on the local context and history – including by interest for policymakers and donors, little direct this report will lead to increased support and sustainable changes. engagement with local peacebuilders has taken strengthening for those efforts. forming peace communities and neighbourhood place to learn what they think works best to avert Yet, a principal finding of this consultation is that, watches (some of “ancient” origin), engaging in mass violence. in practice, on the ground in conflict settings, the direct negotiations or mediation with armed distinction matters little. Ultimately, they share forces, and developing early warning capacities Our goals for this consultation were to better common goals, tools, and approaches. The common to hide and flee from imminent atrocities, among understand the relationship between peacebuilding mission of both fields of work, to prevent violence others. and atrocity prevention, create a space for shared and mass atrocity, overrides most differences. • Engaging in grassroots reconciliation and research and learning among peacebuilding Indeed, local peacebuilders have worked to prevent healing, between former insurgents and their practitioners, and help bridge the gap between local genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and communities, to diminish intergroup tensions, civil society and international policymakers on these ethnic cleansing long before these terminologies deep societal divisions, systematic discrimination issues. As local peacebuilders are leading preventive existed. As we heard repeatedly, “It’s the work that and societal trauma that fuel identity-based efforts to build resilience to and address the root matters, not the labels.” causes of atrocities, we believe that any effort to grievances, contribute to dehumanisation and strengthen and advance atrocity prevention must exclusion, through a variety of strategies including recognise their contributions. cohabitation, building trust and tolerance.

• Preventing sexual and gender-based violence. This entails forming networks and coalitions to advocate for legislation, leading in early warning and response, and facilitating training and education to promote gender equality and the changing of bias and negative attitudes toward women affected by SGBV crimes.

10 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 11 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Obstacles peacebuilders face in their efforts to Recommendations • Raise global awareness of massive violations prevent atrocities • “Stopping violent conflict can stop atrocities” is of human rights. The international community • Limitations of working in the context of active what we heard from consultation participants. should increase efforts to raise awareness in atrocities, especially in communities where groups Peacebuilding addresses the earliest stages of intergovernmental forums. These efforts should who are already marginalised and socially and conflict, root causes of conflict and inequalities be paired with support to victims, families, and economically disenfranchised cannot organise, that can lead to atrocities. Peacebuilding human rights defenders speaking out about the advocate or defend themselves. reinforces atrocity prevention. risk of atrocities and SGBV crimes.

• Big-power proxy wars, where civilians are • Take advantage of the early-warning capacities • Undertake advocacy where the Global North is caught in violent conflicts supported and fuelled of local communities. They are especially well playing a role in fuelling atrocities. Civil society by international actors positioning for regional prepared to prevent violence before it breaks out in the Global North should address its advocacy and global influence, coupled with negligent and prevent atrocities (in peace or war times). efforts to the role the private sector plays in attention and action by regional actors, mean They can be counted on for access to critical fuelling atrocities, shine a light on war profiteering that civilian protection is simply not a priority. information in real time and for observing and and the trade of small arms and weapons, lobby The sale of weapons by big powers, and the trade documenting signs of impending violence. politicians to ensure their governments’ proposed in small arms, only fuels violence further. Local policies do not escalate conflicts, and back peacebuilding efforts are dwarfed, derailed, and • Engage directly with local communities in the solidarity campaigns that support the messages often overwhelmed in these contexts. design of atrocity prevention and peacebuilding and hopes of local peacebuilders. efforts. Local communities should lead the design • Insufficient or weak institutional governance is a these efforts. Governments and donors should • Provide incentives for governments to reform common challenge, therefore there may be a lack therefore engage in participatory conflict analysis, institutions and address disputes that could lead of policies and programmes to address the deep where “key people” and not “more people” is a to conflict and mass atrocities. This will include; social divisions that communities face with respect priority, and which ensures that there is a proper prosecuting the perpetrators of atrocity crimes to their religious and ethnic identities, especially baseline assessment of the local context. and bringing them to justice; and encouraging in certain countries and contexts where atrocities warring parties to come to the table through have previously taken place. In many cases, • Include all voices in prevention strategies, mediation. governments are actively involved in perpetrating peacebuilding activities as well as dialogue atrocities and may perceive local peacebuilding and peace processes. This inclusion, especially efforts as a threat. with the most marginalised groups, is critical to assuring lasting peace. In this same spirit, • The constraints on civil society are ever including government and military (who are often increasing with some governments imposing legal perpetrators of violence) is also important. barriers on civil society to operate as well as some making direct threats on the physical security of • Improve the funding structures for peacebuilding organisations, including harassment, intimidation, and atrocity prevention in a way that is attacks, and even death. not limiting. Donor funding structures – governmental, intergovernmental and private • The prevalence of non-state armed groups, who foundations – should be focused on local capacity may be motivated by local disputes and use them building for atrocity prevention by investing in to compel violence against civilians, and recruit longer-term programming, core organisational children and youth to their forces. support and rapid response funding instruments in the full cycle of conflict, from its root causes to • Hate speech in the media heightens tensions ongoing atrocities to its aftermath. and anger and capitalises on social and economic divisions within a society.

12 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 13 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Fostering greater cooperation Framing session: between peacebuilding and atrocity prevention

The peacebuilding Laurie Mincieli Laurie Mincieli is the United Nations Advocacy Liaison Officer & Regional Coordinator for North America at the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)

Pascal Richard and atrocity Pascal Richard is Managing Adviser for Policy and Advocacy & Regional Coordinator for West Africa and Southeast Asia at GPPAC.

Jenny Aulin Jenny Aulin is the Civil Society Programme Manager at Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative (IPTI), prevention nexus formerly working with GPPAC on this consultation.

Linkages between peacebuilding As Mugahed Al-Shaibah pointed out: “Because atrocities are correlated with and atrocity prevention conflict, stopping conflict may be one of the most important ways to prevent The peacebuilding and atrocity prevention fields atrocities,” a view supported by many of share a common goal of preventing genocide, the participants. war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, and share common approaches. At the same time, there are instances of mass Therefore, the prevention of mass atrocities is atrocities occurring in ‘peacetime’ contexts13 such sometimes understood as an extension of effective as in Myanmar. Proponents of atrocity prevention 11 conflict prevention and peacebuilding . therefore argue that a specific lens is required to ensure vulnerable groups are protected alongside However, a crucial difference between the two general, ongoing conflict prevention measures. fields is that fundamentally, atrocity prevention is rooted in accountability frameworks such as Historically, despite the well-established shared goal international criminal justice and human rights while of preventing violence and mass atrocities, there peacebuilding prioritises frameworks for cohesion and has been an emphasis on the differences between reconciliation. Therefore, the two fields of practice the peacebuilding and atrocity prevention fields. 12 can also be viewed as “complementary but distinct” . Emphasising the differences has likely impeded cooperation that could have aided the greater good: What’s clear, is that the conditions that create risks the prevention of violence and mass atrocities. for mass atrocities also contribute to violent conflict. This session therefore focused on points of These include: intergroup competition, political, connection and how to foster greater cooperation economic, and/or social grievances, a preparedness ZoomIn between the two fields. and capacity (of at least one party) to use violence, and the perceived lack of legitimate nonviolent As one participant, Jai-Ayla Quest, noted: options to address issues. Violent conflict and war “There is an overlap in purpose that would provides an enabling context for mass atrocities and benefit from greater efforts to bring the a large majority of atrocities occur during armed two communities closer together.” conflicts.

14 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 15 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding What did practitioners Participants then focused on how peacebuilding What were their in the field think? approaches can be used to prevent atrocities: recommendations? From early on in the discussion, local peacebuilders • Tools such as conflict analysis and early expressed that the labels used by the international warning mechanisms have been used for both For practitioners community to distinguish between peacebuilding conflict prevention and atrocity prevention in Create formal and informal exchanges and atrocity prevention are not relevant on the , Burundi, and Bangladesh. between peacebuilding and atrocity prevention ground, where the focus is instead on what communities to develop analysis, operational the efforts contribute to peace for the local • Peace education and local mediation, both frameworks, implementation and advocacy communities. core tools in the peacebuilding field were that reinforces the joint prevention objectives. identified as critical for atrocity prevention Both fields would also be strengthened by Throughout the consultation, participants stated: efforts: developing a practice-based body of knowledge, “It’s the work that matters, not the labels.” And in fact, “[…] tools like peace media, peace experiences, and lessons that can be shared. there is a sense that focusing on differences between the education, community conferencing, fields has inhibited needed peace work. or facilitated workshops can be used Practitioners from both fields should gain in a variety of ways to counter inter- increased familiarity with the frameworks, In order to increase cooperation between the fields, group tensions and narratives that may experiences and approaches of the other the participants (who hailed from both fields) openly eventually erupt into conflict and lead field. Peacebuilding practitioners, for example, articulated challenges to collaboration. These to mass atrocities.” (Jared Bell). should consider the use of (transitional) included: the differences in frameworks, audiences justice frameworks in domestic, regional and and timelines between the fields, a disjointed • Other examples where peacebuilding international contexts as one deterrent for mass approach to shared work, a forced distinction approaches have proven useful to atrocity atrocity and impunity and a way to disrupt cycles between activities of the fields and concern over an prevention included community dialogue of violence and conflicts. organisation’s neutrality or safety. in Iraq and Nigeria. In northeast Nigeria, participant Onyekachukwu Ugwu explained Both peacebuilding and atrocity prevention On the disjointed approach, participant Jessica Olney that organisations use frameworks should be integrated into the remarked that this isn’t only an issue for CSOs: development, implementation and review of “Within the UN, there has been a highly “intercultural and interfaith dialogue programmes. publicised fracturing between agencies with relevant stakeholders particularly with a development focus versus those at the grassroots level to bridge For international donors, policy- and with a human rights focus.” ethnoreligious gaps.” decision-makers Adopt a people-centred security lens when considering their policy, funding and decision The most surprising observation from the making – including national economic interests consultation were the commonalities in conflict (e.g. arms industry or natural resources). settings and mechanisms for prevention across different regions and countries. This finding Be pro-active, engaged and inclusive partners in reinforces the need to share experiences so that violence and atrocity prevention efforts. Seek practitioners (or academics, or policymakers, or to include civil society, national governments, funders) can adapt from one context to another. regional and international actors and private Consultations like these have proven to be an sector, with particular attention to youth, effective platform for exchanging experiences women and minorities as partners. Support and lessons. (politically and financially) inclusive and adaptive efforts in those fields. Across the board, participants also expressed the importance for both peacebuilding and atrocity Support opportunities to build increased prevention fields of embracing an inclusive approach cooperation between the two fields and that ensures quality engagement of actors at the participate in formal and informal learning local, national and international level. exchanges.

16 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 17 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Rugwiza The role of inclusivity and atrocity prevention

Steven Leach Steven Leach is a conflict transformation practitioner, facilitator, and scholar who has written on local approaches to early warning/early response, local ownership in development, and the roles of religion in conflict.

Nagwan Soliman El-Ashwal Nagwan Soliman El-Ashwal is a conflict transformation trainer and practitioner who has worked and supported local teams to design dialogue processes and to establish early warning and rapid response networks in conflict zones such as Egypt, Syria, Libya, Tunisia, and Sudan.

The dimensions of inclusivity The second direction of inclusivity is equally important but more challenging – upward, looking In the UN Secretary-General’s 2012 report, to include government and security actors. Upward Peacebuilding in the Aftermath of Conflict14, refers to the hierarchical position of government inclusivity is defined as “the extent and manner in and security actors. Such actors often perpetrate which the views and needs of parties to conflict atrocities, which is a key reason they must be and other stakeholders are represented, heard, brought to the prevention and peacebuilding table and integrated into a peace process.” To that end, at the earliest stages, as implied accountability can research has identified two directions in which deter actions. Their role in committing atrocities is atrocity prevention efforts must be inclusive in also a reason that there may be reluctance to bring order to be effective. them into conversations about prevention and peace. Whether they are directly party to violence Horizontal inclusivity is essential to atrocity or have only a weak or absent presence, government prevention. As touched upon in the previous and security actors are often gatekeepers. article, it is essential to include women, youth, religious minorities, migrants and other marginalised The word inclusivity itself has earned negative peoples. Such stakeholders are often excluded from connotations in some circles, whether because prevention efforts, especially at the design and of failed efforts at inclusivity or the perceived planning stages, but they are the most sensitive imposition of external norms upon local processes. Local strategies in to escalating social tensions, have access to Nevertheless, the experiences of the consultation information beyond the reach of central actors and participants reflect how critical inclusivity is for are also the first groups targeted in the perpetration effective atrocity prevention. of atrocities. Migrants in South Africa told of escalating tensions in 2008, before dozens were atrocity prevention killed in riots, but their concerns did not reach those with the ability to intervene. Moreover, such groups have access to additional cultural resources and practices that may be critical to successful prevention. Sudanese women called Hakamat provide one example, as they work to ease tensions through poetry – we learned the same is true in the experience of one participant working in .

18 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 19 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Horizontal inclusion Upward inclusivity Recommendations Participants generally agreed on the importance of With regard to upward inclusivity, participant Anaïs horizontal inclusivity. Sudaba Shialiyeva articulated Caput stated: • Include marginalised groups at the start of the importance of including women to positively “In order to promote upward inclusivity, prevention efforts. Horizontal inclusivity is influence prevention efforts and peace negotiations but also to contribute to the prevention important not only to atrocity prevention, but (see also Schmeidl and Piza-Lopez, 200215): of atrocities committed by security forces, also to the initial planning and design phase. “Women should be involved in peace Search [for Common Ground] believes in Since horizontal inclusivity helps provide key negotiations, not only because they the importance of building or restoring information to act upon in prevention efforts, represent a significant part of the trust, promoting dialogue, and fostering that same information is useful in shaping population, but also because they have the collaboration between communities and strategies and activities. competence to conduct such negotiations. security actors.” • Inclusivity requires contextual sensitivity. The absence of women at the negotiating What inclusivity looks like in Egypt differs table – this is not only unfair, but also In this way, upward inclusivity creates indirect from in Nigeria differs from Timor Leste. The inefficient.” accountability, while also presenting direct opportunities for community engagement. goal remains to incorporate more views, to In addition Jared Bell described how budget act with the best available information and to constraints within the Burundian NGO, Human In creating opportunities for upward inclusivity, protect those most likely to be targeted. Dignity, meant they didn’t have a strong network David Porter emphasised that humanising child • Partnering with government actors within the country, which impeded access to critical soldiers, refugees and other combatants is to promote social integration between information. Meanwhile, Marie Lamensch asserted connected to positive reintegration. marginalised communities is sometimes that designing a process that does not give voice to necessary, for example to prevent individuals all corners of a society leaves latent grievances that While the consensus rested on the importance of from joining non-state armed groups. Trust will resurface over time, fomenting future atrocities. inclusivity in both directions to prevent atrocities, the other prominent agreement was that inclusivity building between local community leaders/ While participants agreed on the value of inclusivity, is not easy16. There are political, social and cultural practitioners and policymakers may be there was consensus that horizontal inclusivity barriers to including racial minorities, youth, necessary cannot be prescribed and does not look the same migrants and women. • External actors must be cautious and context from one context to another. Qamar Jafri argued sensitive. Their actions and stipulations that inclusivity is often idealised and “Western A word of caution was also heard throughout the can create the impression that “inclusivity” oriented.” His comment points to an important consultation. Whenever people from the margins is a forced Western notion rather than an truth – peacebuilding and atrocity prevention of a society are engaged, they may become more essential component of atrocity prevention. efforts must be context sensitive. Indeed, donors prominent targets for atrocities. Likewise, involving Promoting marginalised groups can also and INGOs often apply rubrics without first building security actors can compromise the independence expose them to greater attention and, relationships within a community. of civil society actors working to prevent atrocities. potentially, atrocities. External actors must Without broad inclusion of marginalised populations walk a careful line, deferring to local actors, as well as government and security actors, the supporting local efforts to prevent atrocities pathway to violent atrocities will remain open. and taking care to do no harm.

20 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 21 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Early action and early warning Role of leaders Self-protection strategies are key Participants emphasised acting early, and not waiting Participants also emphasised the central roles of until “dire circumstances force terrible options on leaders and local elites to organise communities, them” (anonymous participant). Even seemingly confront atrocities and assist with mediation. One to atrocity prevention peaceful communities should organise early and anonymous participant noted that, during the 1993 develop measures to protect vulnerable residents. civil war in Burundi, some localities “resisted the violence and killings of people from different ethnic In memory of Hector Piñeros of La India, “El Llanero”— “The Plainsman.” May he live on in our hearts and may his life Daniel Solomon from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial groups because some important and respected and principled resistance inspire our work for peace. Museum noted that in , human rights personalities said ‘No’.” This point was seconded by groups that report violations also serve the function Fazeeha Azmi, who noted how leaders help promote Oliver Kaplan of preventively warning about the occurrence of community self-protection strategies in ethnically Oliver Kaplan is an Assistant Professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the violence. divided societies, such as . University of Denver. Serna, of the ATCC in Colombia, stated that early Discussion moderator Cristina Serna of Colombia Cristina Serna warning is noted the importance of community leaders in Cristina Serna is the current President of the Peasant Workers Association of the Carare River (ATCC), “Indispensable to both inform the authorities guiding her community “towards calm and keeping one of Colombia’s earliest local peace organisations. and the entire community about what is hope alive.” happening in the region to counteract future What does self-protection mean in The essence of self-protection strategies is that they atrocities. Communities must be vigilant and In the “Village Courts” of Bangladesh mentioned by are locally designed and implemented, yet there alert to new people and new commanders Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa, the context of atrocity prevention? are many examples of international actors—from among armed actors.” “a group of leaders, seniors, educated states, to NGOs, to international organisations— persons formed a strong local council to Mass atrocities can occur with little warning and the successfully aiding communities through Chikaodili Orakwue of Nigeria noted that solve local problems immediately before international community may have little capacity accompaniment20 and technical support. Working neighbourhood watches and local surveillance are going to police or court.” (or political will) to intervene. Self-protection with external supporters, communities can develop mechanisms for gathering information that can then strategies employed by civil society actors and local early warning capacities which can help them be acted upon rapidly to prevent violence. Inclusivity communities offer an alternative to awaiting help anticipate impending violence. However, there is a As fully discussed in the previous article on and support from the outside. Local reconciliation customs for self-protection potential risk of soliciting outside support for self- inclusivity, participants emphasised the importance Kais Aliriani of Yemen observed that there are of being inclusive whilst setting up protection Self-protection refers to when a targeted or protection: their accompaniment may encourage “ancient” community arrangements and “traditional measures. A lack of inclusivity can further vulnerable community comes together to protect communities to remain in harm’s way or their 21 22 mechanisms” to help keep peace. Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa stoke conflict and limits potential impact of the themselves in a nonviolent manner from impending support may inadvertently reach armed actors. mentioned the institution of the “Village Court” in peacebuilding and prevention efforts. violence and atrocities. Communities worldwide Bangladesh, a common forum for problem-solving. have developed innovative nonviolent strategies Sharing experiences of civilian Messaging for community cohesion to cope with threats and prevent violence and According to Yusuf Omar, in some countries, There was broad agreement that self-protection 17 self-protection atrocities . These strategies range from community such as in Somalia, traditional dispute resolution strategies depend on the “existing bond within strengthening to nonviolent pressuring of armed practices have eroded due to intervention by All peaceful avenues to prevent and respond to communities before the onset of state-sponsored actors. Examples include: colonial powers and long-running conflict and atrocities are worth considering. In this spirit, repression and mass atrocities” (anonymous political disputes, and new institutions have not participants discussed existing approaches for participant). • Informal, small-scale village and neighbourhood yet emerged to “replace the old system.” However, 18 community self-protection to stem atrocities, organisations that serve as an organising and ad hoc and uncoordinated civil society movements context, risks and the role of external actors in Participants noted that messaging strategies can mobilisation space to take protective action. are emerging through efforts by diaspora returnees accompaniment. Participants touched on different reinforce community cohesion and social ties and and locals trained by international NGOs. These serve a self-protection function. Peace media, • Formal peace communities and humanitarian elements that positively contribute to a community’s movements could be aided in rescuing the lessons peace education and social dialogue workshops can spaces19, such as the “Peace Zones” in the ability to mobilise and develop self-protection of the past and rebuilding traditional community promote bridging social capital within communities. Philippines and the Peasant Workers Association strategies. protection institutions. By contrast, diverging news sources and narratives of the Carare River (ATCC) in Colombia. Participants also considered the risks and moral can generate ideological divides and impede Sometimes reconciliation is even formalised through • In Colombia, the ATCC promotes a culture hazards that may arise from external support to cooperation among different communities or ethnic local peace agreements, like in Burundi when two of pacifist and nonviolent norms within the local peace movements in times of war. groups. This disunity can make it more difficult to conflicting communities pursued dialogue and community while at the same negotiating with influence the behaviour of armed actors (e.g., in agreed to let their differences go. armed actors. Bosnia-Herzegovina).

22 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 23 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Armed self-protection While most of the discussion centred on nonviolent Recommendations approaches, some participants also highlighted Direct Peace the effectiveness of armed local responses to As demonstrated in the examples throughout violent threats. Onyekachukwu Ugwu noted the this section, local, community-based self- effectiveness of Community Vigilante Movements protection is an important strategy in both in Nigeria to counter threats from the Boko preventing atrocities and reducing the impact Haram insurgent group. The hunter’s guild and of violence. Here are some ways that local neighbourhood watch in Adamawa state was communities and the international community viewed as instrumental for recapturing towns from can promote community-based self-protection: the insurgents. However, he and others also noted • Organise early at the local level, even before that the “heavy” approach of armed self-defence atrocity threatens, and draw in respected can bring risks of extra-judicial killings and reprisal leaders that can positively influence attacks. Though a valid form of self-protection, organisation and peace. there was consensus amongst consultation participants that such armed approaches depart • Peace and mediation committees comprised from more inclusive nonviolent approaches and may of men, women and youth, and representing invite retaliation. different ethnic and political affiliations, can be trained to respond to violence and act as While the consultation discussion didn’t focus a deterrent in communities where atrocity on the role of external actors in supporting self- prevention is most needed. protection strategies, there was clear consensus that international actors can provide support but • Understand the local historical context must take care not to undermine local capacities. traditions which could be relevant to developing civilian self-protection.

• Communities pursuing self-protection should engage with the state when possible. However, while state institutions must be respected, communities but also be vigilant about their own protection and would be wise to adopt “trust but verify” stances when interacting with officials.

24 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 25 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding The majority of women in Yemen, however, Nusaibah Assaqqaf proved herself an adept want to see an end to the conflict without negotiator of peace. Since this incident she has taking up arms. Individual women and women’s continued to practice peaceful negotiation and organisations work tirelessly to find ways of delivered training to 33 insider mediators in the negotiating life in wartime as peacefully as Tuban district on conflict resolution, supported possible. To find relative peace in Yemen women by the Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen have been standing up to those looking to bring (ERRY) Programme. the conflict to them. As the conflict escalates there have been Nusaibah Assaqqaf did just that. continued calls for women to be present at the negotiation table. As hopes for peace talks fade, In April 2015 an armed group of young men the involvement of women is essential for an tried to enter the area in which she lived, an inclusive peace process to yield lasting results. If area home to IDPs made up of women and one woman can lead a group to stand up against children. Nusaibah knew that the youth in the young armed men, the defiance of women in the area would do anything in their power to defend face of conflict could bring an end to the civil war their families from the armed rebels, and that in Yemen. conflict would be inevitable if she allowed this group to pass through. She decided to mobilise a group of senior and influential female community members and marched to where the armed group was stationed.

Defiantly the group of women told the armed men that they could not pass through. At first the young men were shocked; they considered the A women-led protection initiative in Yemen23,24,25 actions of these women shameful as they tried to undermine the actions of men. The women insisted that the area was populated only by “Here in Yemen, women are not passive The recruitment of women into both pro- civilians and IDPs and that the men had no reason spectators of the conflict in Yemen but government and Houthi rebel forces in cities like to be there. After continued negotiation, the are actively involved: from contributing the besieged Taiz in the South-West of Yemen is armed group was ordered by its superiors to stay to the war effort and combat, to increasing. This creates a cloak for smuggling and away from Nusaibah’s area and to not engage protecting their families, to leading for the movement of military personnel. Men do with any of the youth from that area. These humanitarian relief efforts, or reducing not search women, nor do they raid homes where women had stood their ground and possible tensions and promoting cohesion within women are present, which gives rebel forces the conflict had been prevented. their communities.” opportunity to move undetected when disguised Mugahed Al-Shaibah as women. Recruiting women brings a solution to this problem, and many take up the roles of policing As fighting continues between Saudi backed pro- checkpoints to help bring peace to their city. government forces and Houthi rebels in Yemen, life must go on for Yemeni families throughout Asmaa al Sharabi joined pro-government forces the country. While men have taken up arms when the war broke out and has “worked against each other, women are left to take up the shoulder-to-shoulder with men on the frontlines, responsibilities as breadwinners, care-givers and storming houses, because the Houthis were protectors. In Yemen, as in all conflict situations, disguising themselves as women to flee.” Despite women have to negotiate all of these roles under concern from her family Sharabi insists that she difficult circumstances. will continue her work as she is “fighting for the sake of Taiz.”

26 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 27 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Reconciliation at the grassroots and national levels Role of the international community Locally-led reconciliation and healing All participants agreed there is a distinction Moses Julius Muganga pointed out that the between grassroots and national-level reconciliation international community can collaborate with efforts and dynamics. Grassroots and national grassroots reconciliation efforts to monitor and as atrocity prevention reconciliation offer different advantages, depending support peace building processes, humanitarian on the context in which activities are implemented, interventions and human rights standards. While and both may serve important violence and atrocity the international community has the potential to Myles Wallingford prevention functions. play an important role in atrocity prevention, they Myles Wallingford is Programme Coordinator for the Post-Conflict Research Center are sometimes limited by capacity or willingness. In Grassroots reconciliation can be implemented within addition, as Jared Bell pointed out: a shorter time frame and tailored to local needs and “No matter what pressure the international Kate Lonergan priorities, and community may put on a State, under Kate Lonergan is a PhD Candidate with the Hugo Valentin Centre and the Department of Peace and “they tend to work because they are international law States still have a Conflict Research at Uppsala University. locally-owned and have more legitimacy monopoly over their own social and among the population.” (Marie Lamensch). political affairs.” Linking reconciliation to atrocity How is reconciliation relevant to National reconciliation was discussed as better Cautions prevention atrocity prevention? equipped to work with communities across the Reconciliation contributes to atrocity prevention, country and to unify diverse populations. National but participants also highlighted concerns about In the aftermath of an atrocity, reconciliation26 The discussion identified aspects of reconciliation level reconciliation unusually has greater (financial) connecting the two areas, in large part because of involves building peaceful relationships and mutual practice that are most relevant for atrocity resources to complete projects. how each strategy draws on a different framework. respect between former adversaries. This can prevention. The most common paths mentioned happen through both a ‘top-down’ process, using were “trust”, “empathy”, “forgiveness”, “social Timing: long-term and short-term atrocity Transitional justice31 seeks to hold perpetrators of laws and institutions to create a framework for cohesion” (in its diverse forms), and “mutual prevention mass violence and atrocity accountable for their peace, and a ‘bottom-up’ process, bringing people understanding” of the past: Some participants pointed out that the value of crimes and provide redress for victims. Transitional together at the grassroots level to build relationships reconciliation efforts to address atrocity risks justice has the potential to complement efforts to • Qamar Jafri pointed out that building and heal divisions. Grassroots reconciliation takes may occur over many years or generations. While reconcile and rebuild positive relationships, but 27 bridges through trust can encourage diverse many forms including trauma healing, dialogue, these changing dynamics can contribute to long- these processes can also clash. Onyekachukwu communities to resist violent influences from mediation, community development, engagement term prevention, in the short-term society may Ugwu highlighted the gacaca courts in Rwanda, both state and non-state actors. with arts and culture and documenting the past. still remain vulnerable to atrocity triggers. There which held genocide suspects accountable, as are examples, though, of how reconciliation can • Many participants noted that involving key an example of effective community-level justice Grassroots reconciliation has great potential to influence short-term prevention. For example, community leaders in reconciliation processes processes that work in tandem with reconciliation mitigate the social and political factors that create Mariana Goetz said that can help diffuse emerging tensions and address processes. atrocity risk: intergroup tensions, deep societal “supporting religious leaders or other atrocity risks as they develop. Bella Nceke divisions, systematic discrimination, and societal individuals of influence or targeting On the other hand, Sawssan Abou-Zahr raised cautioned that risk factors may remain if those trauma. If reconciliation efforts can address these key audiences such as youth might be the possibility of reconciliation processes in positions of power, particularly the army or risk factors, they may help to prevent future necessary when atrocities are imminent.” overshadowing justice: police, are not involved in the reconciliation violence and atrocities. “Reconciliation does not equal impunity, process. and impunity should not be tolerated or Evidence is mixed regarding the contributions of promoted as a necessary quick means of grassroots reconciliation to the prevention of • Reconciliation can also catalyse individual ending wars/conflicts.” future atrocities. Some grassroots reconciliation breakthroughs and develop critical thinking efforts, such as a public photography exhibitions28 around issues that contribute to atrocity risk. held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, have shown While it is often difficult for these individual- positive impacts29 on intergroup tensions, level transformations to extend to the group social divisions and discrimination. At the same level, they are important first steps to reducing time, another study30 found that a grassroots atrocity risks. reconciliation programme in Sri Lanka had limited effect on atrocity risk factors.

The consultation looked at the ways in which ‘reconciliation’ is suited for atrocity prevention (or not) and the contributions of grassroots and international actors to this process.

28 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 29 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding While the tone and focus had been on improving reconciliation efforts as a method for atrocity Recommendations Consider reconciliation and justice in tandem • Ensure that reconciliation does not prevention, contributors pointed out that overshadow or obscure accountability reconciliation might, in some circumstances, Strengthen elements of reconciliation practice efforts and is not imposed on victims actively be counterproductive. It was mentioned that that work to prevent future atrocities. seeking justice and truth. reconciliation can be “misused and manipulated by • Focus on “key people” as opposed to “more governments. It was the case in the Middle East in people”; the latter is often the focus of • Carefully consider sequencing of post-conflict societies… [where] it is deliberately grassroots building activities. reconciliation and transitional justice used in official rhetoric to overshadow the principle • Interpersonal relationship building should processes. of transitional justice.” (Sawssan Abou-Zahr). In teach empathy and self-awareness skills to Abou-Zahr’s view, transitional justice would end the reverse the process of dehumanisation. • Where appropriate, include restorative impunity of those who might currently be in power justice in grassroots reconciliation processes positions. • Strengthening social cohesion and trauma to promote perpetrator accountability and healing at the community level. address impunity while working towards In some circumstances, it was said that better relationships. Some efforts may reconciliation can distract from more important • Spend more time measuring impact, assessing include working with both perpetrators and post-conflict issues, such as justice. The feelings outcomes, and adapting programming to victims to promote trauma healing. and emotions associated with reconciliation can meet emerging local priorities. overpower a push for justice when Tailor responsibilities of international and local “justice is swept under the carpet • Employ “mass contact” methods (i.e.: cultural actors under the guise of sheer sentiment” events, shared-value dialogue) to build • International and local actors should identify (Onyekachukwu Ugwu). cohesion and bridge diverse communities. and delegate their best-suited responsibilities.

This leads to a lack of social cohesion and re- Allow local stakeholders to guide and shape • Internationals should monitor and traumatisation. Reconciliation might also carry reconciliation processes promote human rights, democracy, good connotations that alienate local actors, particularly • Local actors should define what reconciliation governance, humanitarian intervention, and when local processes are thought to be co-opted by means and outline their priorities and needs accountability. external actors. within a reconciliation process. • Local actors should provide education, One participant (anonymous) noted that • Conditions attached to foreign aid should dialogue training, and local community reconciliation has other shortcomings, including an allow for flexibility in local implementation support. element of superficiality and a potential “triggering” methods. effect if people have not been given proper • National reconciliation process should time to heal, gain trust, or work through issues. • Rules of engagement and monitoring implement cease-fire and peace agreements, Reconciliation might also not have the commonly mechanisms should be locally-established to citizen consultations, legal development, and believed utility of bridging gaps and increasing ensure benefits are provided to grassroots appoint truth commissions before they can inclusivity and instead, could cause further divides. initiative’s end users (i.e. victims). be brought to citizens.

30 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 31 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Strengthening accountability Building coalitions to support local How can sexual and gender-based actors Impunity emboldens perpetrators, silences victims and makes it more difficult to deter future attacks. Building coalitions and alliances can galvanise social atrocity crimes be prevented? and institutional responses to SGBV crimes in As David Porter noted: important ways. “Atrocities take place when people believe Dr Sarah Teitt they can do whatever they want and Onyekachukwu Ugwu stated: Dr Sarah Teitt is the Deputy Director and Researcher at the Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to there will be no consequences. Crimes Protect in the School of Political Science and International Studies, University of Queensland. “When CSOs, development partners go unreported because people have no and local groups come together in the faith that anything will ever be done, or Visaka Dharmadasa form of a coalition, it becomes easier to worse [that] they will be attacked again for Visaka Dharmadasa is the founder and chair of the Association of War Affected Women and Parents of identify unseen gaps and weaknesses as speaking out.” Servicemen Missing in Action. well as highlight them for policy remedies. Coalitions can facilitate advocacy for Prosecution for SGBV crimes is important for ending the passage of bills relevant to SGBV at cycles of violence and can prompt institutional Although women and girls arguably face greater the national level and accelerate their Sexual and gender-based violence changes that can provide long-term protection from risk of sexual violence in atrocity situations, the domestication at the state and grassroots future gender-based atrocity crimes. as a ‘weapon of war’ widespread and strategic use of SGBV is not a level.” ‘women’s issue’. Men and boys are often silent Sexual violence is often used strategically in the Tatiana Gos remarked: victims of sexual violence32, and are particularly Participants likewise emphasised that networks of perpetration of atrocity crimes. Perpetrators “In Latin America… ground-breaking judicial vulnerable to sexualised forms of torture in local organisations focused on gender and women’s engage in systematic rape, sexual , forced cases on SGBV (within and outside the detention. Moreover, an uptick in patterns of sexual rights should lead early warning and response prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation context of an armed conflict) have opened violence against identity groups can be an early efforts. and other forms of sexualised violence in a avenues to influence different government warning sign33 of preparations for the broader calculated manner as a means to punish, terrorise departments to adopt measures to combat targeting of those communities. Nicholas Dickson shared his belief that: and destroy individuals and communities. In 2008, structural discrimination against women “Women’s CSO groups are key to the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1820, that is rooted not only in social values and understand potential early warning of which recognised that widespread sexual and beliefs but also reflected in norms and SGBV…if you don’t consider women’s gender-based violence can constitute an act of governing practices.” CSOs, or seek to understand their genocide, a or a crime against humanity. networks, influence, you will miss a huge Participants further emphasised the importance When used as part of a strategy to displace or expel portion of the data out there, and decisions of strengthening accountability for SGBV in the opposing ethnic, religious or other identity groups, made under such circumstances will be security sector, citing research which shows that SGBV is a tool for ethnic cleansing. questionable at best.” less SGBV occurs in situations where military commanders and military units prohibit34 sexual The following are known risk factors associated violence, and where military institutions35 endorse with sexual and gender-based atrocity crimes: norms against sexual violence in their training and education. As Marie Lamensch asserted, there • weak protection of women’s rights needs to be a clear message to security forces that • lack of accountability for perpetrators “Rape is a crime and you will be prosecuted. It is an abuse of power.” • limits to SGBV data collection and reporting

• the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW)

• the marginalisation of women in transitional justice mechanisms

32 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 33 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Engaging men Context sensitive training and Recommendations education Jared Bell highlighted that it is “Especially important to include young • Offer better guidance on the timing, There was consensus amongst consultation sequencing and coordination of SGBV men in SGBV prevention efforts, because participants that education is key to SGBV unfortunately, SGBV stems from notions prevention efforts in order to identify which prevention. This education can logically take place strategies and/or policy options work best of patriarchy and misogyny that exist in in schools, reaching the population of young people many societies across the world. Working in a given context and how to combine them in formal school settings, and should be a curriculum effectively. with young men is an important part in developed for both young women and men. This transforming their narrative and the risks emphasis on education was especially surprising as • Prioritise education and training, ranging of SGBV.” so much of the focus internationally has been on from scenario-based training for the military deterrence and legal accountability. Including men in SGBV education can help to community-level dialogue, to help build deconstruct the ‘militarised’ patriarchy that public awareness of the damage caused by For consultation participants, context-sensitive SGBV. normalises sexual violence and instead cultivate educational and public awareness programmes are more even-handed social perceptions of women in the most effective route to long-term prevention. • Engage men in SGBV prevention efforts and society. Programming must highlight the consequences integrate SGBV training as a core component of SGBV on victims, communities, society and Participants agreed that across regions, SGBV and in existing programmes rather than offering broader peace and development. While participants women’s rights training and education programmes them as stand-alone courses. recognised the vital role of training for community at the community level often target only women. leaders and government agents, they offered • Provide support to SGBV victims’ support Cecilia Deme offered strategies for addressing this new insight into the need for more ‘bottom networks so that individuals can feel more problem: up’ approaches to training and education that empowered to come forward and tell their “The environment in which the course is incorporates gender peace education in national stories, thereby increasing the chances of organised makes a huge difference. For curricula. successful prosecution. instance, in small village , Ultimately, education can alter social perceptions of • Link atrocity prevention to UNSCR 1325, a SGBV course would only have female women, according to Jane Obiora: which calls for women’s full and equal participants. Inside an Internally Displaced “Transforming mindsets and changing the participation and gender mainstreaming in all Persons (IDP) camp, however, both women beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of people peace and security initiatives at all levels. and men participated. that commit SGBV”. • Make gender-sensitive training mandatory for all security sector institutions.

34 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 35 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Burmese women’s civil society organisations have A lack of transitional justice and accountability long been pushing back against persistent, violent from previous conflicts leaves victims of SGBV abuse against women and girls, each taking a unsure of whether they we ever find justice. different approach to mitigate SGBV in their The Kachin Women’s Association of Thailand communities and each challenging a different risk (KWAT) works on advocacy at the national and Matthew K Firpo K Matthew factor that needs to be removed from Burmese international level to highlight the awful situation society. for so many women in Myanmar. KWAT is trying to bring justice to victims, and also highlights the Widespread gender inequality compounds these extent to which the military has gone towards risk factors as the experience of women and covering up atrocities in the past. girls is not treated with due respect. In peace processes, and in positions of political power A change in the law can help bring justice and influence in Myanmar, there is a distinct to victims and works to prevent a further lack of women. The Burmese Women’s Union perpetuation of SGBV, but a large part of what (BWU) seek to empower women and change this fails women and girls is a complete lack of gender imbalance across Myanmar. Community treatment and assistance to victims. In January discussions and exchanges encourage the 2018, the Rohingya Society of Malaysia (RSM) development of women’s ideas on how to prevent opened a safe transitional home run by refugees SGBV. BWU also offer training on community for Rohingya refugee survivors of SGBV and leadership, law administration, voter education their families in the Klang Valley. The shelter is and other skills to promote women into positions managed full-time by a team of trained Rohingya of power within their communities. If women refugee workers and is led by a Rohingya refugee can occupy positions of power, they can offer far named Kushida. A similar house has been opened greater assistance to victims of SGBV but getting by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) there is also fraught with danger. in the Shamlapur Refugee camp in Bangladesh Defiant in the face of fear: women’s organisations standing up to that offers a safe space for the thousands of SGBV in Myanmar The Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO) has victims of SGBV. interviewed many female chiefs across Myanmar Since clashes broke out in late August 2017, As part of this policy, sexual violence has become who have become targets of SGBV by the Likewise, the Karenni National Women’s the Burmese military has mounted a brutal an institutionalised practice of Myanmar’s armed Myanmar military. Crimes including extra-judicial Organisation (KNWO) has set up a safe house campaign targeting the Muslim Rohingya, killing forces. Indeed, a prominent and disturbing killings, torture and rape are continuously being in Karenni state for survivors of gender-based thousands and forcing over 600,000 to flee the feature of the Burmese military’s campaign covered up and silenced through the perpetual violence who need emergency assistance and predominantly Buddhist country to neighbouring against the Rohingya has been the widespread use of SGBV against female chiefs. The courage protection. The organisation offers protection as Bangladesh. The UN human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad and sometimes systematic use of rape by of the KWO and the women across Myanmar well as legal guidance and support to help bring Al Hussein has called the situation “a textbook Myanmar’s military against Rohingya women and whom they represent demonstrates the power the perpetrators to justice. example of ethnic cleansing.” With the mass girls. This is consistent with growing evidence that women have in standing up against the In the face of countless atrocities, women’s CSOs persecution of the Rohingya in the international that the Myanmar military are using SGBV to atrocities of the military. are standing up to the Myanmar government spotlight, Myanmar’s history of mistreatment expel ethnic groups, intimidate witnesses of Where the military can be held accountable in and military to challenge the use of SGBV. The against minorities has finally come to light. crimes against humanity, and incite violence civilian courts, a culture of impunity would not international community is failing in Myanmar, between groups; constituting acts of genocide. Myanmar has a long history of brutalising ethnic be allowed to persist. The Women’s League but local organisations are demonstrating the minorities, including the Kachin, the Karen, This practice reflects many of the structural of Burma (WLB), a Thailand-based umbrella power of women in processes of peace and the Karenni, the Rohingya, the Shan, and other barriers affecting women and girls of minority organisation in exile, continually advocates for security. Continued advocacy and calls for change minority groups, as part of a government’s groups in the country. Some of the risk factors a change to the law where the Convention on will not cease until the world takes notice and the policy of ‘Burmanisation’ – an ultra-nationalist that contribute to the prevalence of SGBV include all Forms of Discrimination Against Women Myanmar government removes impunity and give Burmese ideology based on racial purity and a culture of impunity, a lack of adequate reporting (CEDAW) (of which Myanmar is a signatory) justice to victims of SGBV. the Buddhist faith. and accountability, a complete lack of transitional would be integrated into domestic law and the justice, and no support system for victims; all military could be held accountable. of which are compounded by gender inequality, especially in positions of political power and influence.

36 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 37 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Dania Ali Dania Youth, peacebuilding and atrocity prevention

Ehab Badwi Ehab Badwi is the Regional Focal Point – Middle East and North Africa – Humanitarian Affairs for the UN Major Group for Children and Youth and President and Co-Founder of the Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA)

The United Nations’ 2015 World Population When engaging youth, it is pivotal to avoid the Prospects report estimates36 that there are 1.3 billion cliché of youth as ‘future leaders’. Youth should youths aged 15–24 in the world, and nearly one be considered as leaders today. The consultation billion of them live in developing countries where participants appreciate the valuable contributions conflict is more likely to take place. Despite their that youth can make now towards preventing demographic importance, youths are frequently atrocity and contributing to peace. overlooked when it comes to discussions on conflict. For a fuller analysis of inclusion in atrocity Youths in conflict settings prevention. Youths are often at the forefront of conflict In this global context, youths are commonly seen crises and are most affected by poor governance, by policymakers and donors in over-simplified unemployment and poverty. Marie Lamensch stated: terms, either infantilising or demonising them. “Individuals who take part in conflicts are On the one hand, youths are perceived as often young, and the reasons why they vulnerable, impressionable, powerless and in join are engrained in local problems, bad need of protection. On the other, they are seen governance, lack of employment and lack as potentially dangerous, erratic in behaviour and of political participation.” prone to violence and destruction. This simplified way of viewing young people fails to consider Before, during, and after conflict there is a their potential to become positive change-makers breakdown of social support systems, a disruption and peacebuilders in their society. Fortunately, a in schooling and a general weakening of communal growing research literature – underpinned by the bonds. With a lack of alternatives, youths are ‘agency’ perspective – has increasingly recognised victims of circumstance, experience extreme youths as effective political and social actors in hardships and are more prone to radicalisation and post-conflict societies. active involvement in the conflict itself. Highlighted an anonymous participant: In December 2015, the UN Security Council “Young people are often turned into Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security instruments of violence through the recognised the positive contributions that youths manipulation of warmongers who rely on make towards peace and set an overall framework their lack of experience, unemployment to support their efforts. Indeed, in May 2016, the and false promises about a bright future”. UN Peacebuilding Fund started its first Youth Promotion Initiative, which encourages youth Youth vulnerability persists long after the end of leadership in peacebuilding. This is indeed a positive conflict, but their situation is often ignored for trend, but success will depend on whether or not more immediate concerns. Ignoring youths can such initiatives can also respond to the wider socio- directly undermine post-conflict peacebuilding and economic, cultural and political barriers that young exacerbates the very issues peacebuilders seek to people face. mitigate.

38 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 39 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Jared Bell rationalises, The potential of youths “We can talk about peacebuilding and Recommendations reconciliation, but this is for naught if young Most participants further agreed that life skills people can’t make an adequate living.” training can enable young people to manage risk • Develop short-term employment-promotion more effectively, be productive members of their activities and long-term activities to address Youths are the demographic key to reconstruction, families and their communities, break stigmas and structural inequalities shaping youths’ peacebuilding and long-term development. bridge a generational divide. Such skills training livelihood opportunities. could include youth-focused vocational training; Participant Nicholas Dickson refers to this dilemma • Create training opportunities for youths: civic awareness and income-generating activities; in Afghanistan: vocational training, income-generating and sports and cultural programmes. “the ‘youth bulge’ seems to be one of the activities, life skills, civic-awareness and trust- most common critical civil vulnerabilities Yusuf Omar stated, building exercises discussed in [military] operations involving “We should provide young people what • Governments should integrate peace stability tasks. My Afghan experience was we would like them to give us back education in schools and these programmes almost solely based on the concept of ‘take (constructive knowledge, life skills and should be permanent and continue from one care of the youth and things will eventually expertise), through which they can help generation to another. work their way out’.” themselves as well as their families and society at large.” • Develop policies to reduce gender-based Youths can shape a peaceful future disadvantages for young women, but that Participants also raised the importance of civic also include men and boys to combat gender networks and churches which can provide stable Youths can shape the transition from war to peace, discrimination and sexual violence. either as positive actors for change or as peace spoilers. structures in unstable environments. • Engage youth in peacebuilding through the Qamar Jafri explained, For youths to be active, positive, participants arts, culture, tourism, sports and education “Civic spaces in local communities can in reconstruction, atrocity prevention and in an effort to building bridges between transform the minds of young people via peacebuilding, there needs to be a re-shaping of divided communities and ensure a viable skill development, education and local stigmas and how youths perceive themselves. reconciliation process. forums that allow them to express their Participant Bella Nceke asserted that youths can needs and concerns.” • Create access to political spaces for youths. only play a positive role if they can Implement quotas on the number of seats in Participants recognised that youths present an “separate themselves from the history the legislature allocated to youths. of the conflict, otherwise they will see untapped source of innovation and creativity themselves as part of its continuation. who need to be brought into existing political Therefore, it is important that the new spaces. Currently there is limited space for them generations see themselves not as victims to participate because of existing social norms and or parties to the conflict, but rather as hierarchies. those who have the potential to change Marie Lamensch asserted that history and write a different one for future “other sectors of society must take youth generations.” leadership seriously. This is the first step. The Post-Conflict Research Centre in Sarajevo They must be invited to policy meetings explained that “young people have the potential to be and consultations; they must be allowed to natural leaders in the field of reconciliatory activity, sit at the table.” since many of them do not hold onto historical prejudice in the same way that older generations do.”

James Offuh insisted that “youths be given a priority focus by equipping them with the communication and leadership skills necessary to address the root causes of hatred, discrimination and violence.” The topic of training for youths is discussed more fully below

40 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 41 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding neighbours, villages and governments creates The workshops that TEDiiN provides teach the perfect space for young people to be alternatives to violence and give confidence to indoctrinated into violent groups that make them those with a voice to stand up against violence.

Greg Funnell Greg feel empowered and important. When one act of violence is prevented it has the potential to prevent reprisal attacks and further Local civil society organisations recognise this violence in communities. The work of TEDiiN risk and labour to create an environment where creates leaders, not soldiers, and represents a young people feel powerful without the need for future of Nigeria that is free from conflict and violence. hatred.

The Teens Educational Development and The small acts of young people will prevent Information Initiative (TEDiiN) was created violent outbreaks that continue to cripple to prevent recruitment into armed groups by Nigerian communities. Civil society groups giving young people something to be a part like TEDiiN create spaces for youth to lead of. Preventing hate speech from descending social change. Offering a sense of meaning and into violence means engaging with local youth belonging is vital in preventing recruitment into to promote peaceful coexistence. To that end, armed groups and the violence it brings. Hate TEDiiN works through community engagement speech across social media leads to violence, but to give young people a role in their societies, communities coming together have the power to removing the lure of violent groups. prevent future atrocities.

By running educational workshops TEDiiN teaches young people to stand up against violence. Promoting creative alternatives to youth socialisation, TEDiiN offers children and young people safer means to engage with community development and education, away from violent groups and toxic hate speech.

An example of these workshops is the Teaching a generation how not to hate in Nigeria #IStandForPeace Club which meets bimonthly to brainstorm efforts against hate speech. Feeling “The youth can play an active role in where stereotypes are being allowed to enter empowered through non-violent defiance atrocity prevention, lead social change, everyday spaces; “Igbos are supposed to be is a way to engage young people in Nigeria. build bridges and improve community tricksters, Yorubas are supposed to be traitors, TEDiiN teaches young people how to identify relations. All they need is a sense of Hausas/Fulanis are religious fundamentalists. violence and how to stand up against it. The meaning and belonging, safe space to Ijaws can only be militants.” The dissemination of #IStandForPeace ambassadors are young people thrive, mentorship and empowerment hate speech across the internet and throughout taught not to bow to peer pressure and the lure then they can positively shape the the media has added fuel to the unrest that is felt of violent groups, and who are proud of saying no society they live in, promote active by most Nigerians. to violence. tolerance and foster reconciliations” Jane Obiora Young people are most at risk to the effects that mistrust and hatred breeds. Armed groups, There has been an alarming rise in hate speech particularly Boko Haram, preys on youth by and division throughout Nigerian society. exacerbating hate speech that exists in society Attitudes towards the government have for recruitment. Young people in Nigeria are manifested themselves as divisions along the lines growing increasingly vulnerable to the lure of of rich/poor, Muslim/Christian and Northern/ armed groups as they have no community to Southern. There is mistrust across ethnic lines be a part of. The feeling of disillusionment with

42 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 43 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding How can local peacebuilders engage with local, national and international policy makers on atrocity prevention?

Brittany Roser Brittany Roser is the Communications and Outreach Associate at the International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP).

The current landscape Examples of frameworks for collaboration include:

37 Currently, national governments, regional and • National Focal Points for the Responsibility to international organisations, and civil society Protect (RtoP, R2P) in 59 countries throughout 38 organisations and networks partner and engage the world . R2P Focal points are senior officials with the goal of improving their individual and appointed within national governments, collective capabilities to protect populations from which focus on facilitating atrocity prevention Engaging the atrocity crimes. mechanisms domestically and cooperating internationally on these issues within the Global Local, national, regional, and international actors Network of R2P Focal Points. all have different areas of expertise and varying levels of access to information and resources, which • Parliamentarians can utilise their influence can influence their abilities to prevent conflict working with governments to help domesticate international and strengthen State support for prevention and atrocities in any given situation. A benefit of working collectively is the pooling of shared and capacities at the national level through experiences, resources and information in order introducing an atrocity prevention lens into to learn and better assess best courses of action. future policies and resolutions, allocating In this vein, actors at different levels may have funds for peacebuilding and prevention, and community in different roles to play. conducting hearings and publishing reports on government capacities to prevent atrocities. For example, national actors may be well positioned to identify and connect the appropriate local, • Some States have gone even further, such regional, or international actors to analyse and as establishing National Mechanisms for the implement conflict-specific peacebuilding and Prevention of Genocide and other Atrocity funding and Crimes, established mechanisms that include prevention measures. In addition, national actors can engage and mobilise stakeholders form varying officials from various areas within different sectors, within the government, but also within government bodies relevant to mass atrocity the legal and justice system, national security prevention, such as the Atrocity Prevention 39 forces, economic and development sectors, as Board (APB) in the United States and the response well as parliamentarians. Conversely, regional and National Mechanisms for the Prevention and international actors, who may be slightly more Punishment of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes removed from the domestic political and social against Humanity, and all other Forms of agendas of a specific area, may have an enhanced Discrimination in the Great Lakes Region, among reputation, garnering more trust and cooperation others. All such mechanisms seek to develop from local actors, as well as a potentially greater a unified and coordinated State policy on the influence and capacity for policymaking and prevention of atrocity crimes. implementation than their national counterparts.

44 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 45 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding • An example of regional policy cooperation Reflecting on key opportunities for Capacity building is crucial for cooperation for atrocity prevention is the Latin American According to Jared Bell: Recommendations Network for the Prevention of Genocide and engagement “Capacity building is the key and foremost Mass Atrocities40, created in 2012 and led way to connect local actors to a larger Local, national and international actors have the Although actors working on peacebuilding and by Argentina and Brazil. The Latin American stream of actors and funding”. opportunity and the responsibility to serve as a atrocity prevention agendas across at national, Network now includes representatives from bridge, connecting actors from a broad range of regional and international levels agree that 18 different States throughout the region and Many participants agreed that training, education, backgrounds to one another. These are concrete collaboration is essential for more holistic and seeks to establish the national and regional shared research and analysis and open dialogue for steps these actors can take: sustainable approaches to peace, and examples of foundations to better prevent mass atrocities the sharing of best practices can all contribute to such collaboration do exist (see above), challenges • Ensure locally-owned peacebuilding and and to elevate Latin American States’ capacities building local peacebuilders’ capacities for atrocity remain. This consultation benefited from the atrocity prevention processes are inclusive to become leaders in atrocity prevention within prevention. A benefit of working collectively is participation of individuals working at these and diverse. Local communities would define the international community. the pooling of shared experiences, resources, and different levels and was an opportunity to focus on information in order to learn and better assess their priorities and lead in the design and • At the international level there is the Global ways to address the current challenges. The shared best courses of action from other actors with implementation of any peacebuilding and/or Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes Network goal is enhanced atrocity prevention. complementary and/or supplementary knowledge atrocity prevention programming. (GAAMAC)41, a global state-led initiative which or access. Participants identified the following challenges to • Work together in partnership, utilising the has brought together representatives from collaboration: the need for a truly local participation strengths of other actors to learn and better the UN Office of the Special Advisers for the Building trust increases engagement and capacity in peacebuilding and atrocity prevention processes, prevent and/or respond to atrocities and Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility for implementation of prevention measures increased capacity building and trust building. their early warning signs. to Protect (OSAPG)42, regional organisations, Consultation participants also noted that mistrust between actors from different levels and non-governmental organisations and atrocity Local participation in peacebuilding and atrocity • Join and maintain regular and sustained backgrounds remains an obstacle to cooperation in prevention experts in an effort to improve prevention processes dialogue and information sharing platforms many situations across the world. prevention efforts. There is a definitive lack of diversity in the “locals” to build trust and relationships among included in local peacebuilding and atrocity actors and policy makers working in atrocity • Since 2009, the President of the UN Marie Lamensch pointed out that, prevention processes. Participants pointed out that prevention. Peacebuilders can engage General Assembly (UNGA) has convened an “Some local community leaders and inclusion of “locals” in peace processes often results with their governments, national R2P focal annual informal, interactive dialogue on the peacebuilders do not easily trust in the participation of only local elites or those living points (in 59 countries), or other national Responsibility to Protect43 where Member policymakers. Building these relationships in major urban areas, and not those living in the mechanisms in atrocity prevention. States and civil society organisations are able can take time, diplomacy, and at-risk or conflict-affected communities. According to come together to discuss R2P developments compromises. But with a common agenda, to Fazeeha Azmi: • Local, national and international actors and recommendations as well as reflect on the these coalitions can truly work.” “Local people with valuable practical ideas should familiarise and connect with Secretary-General’s annual report on the norm. are not included most of the time in policy Forums for cooperation at national, regional and international global initiatives supported related discussions due to their ethnic, international levels, such as those described earlier by governments such as the Global Action language, religious, and geographical bias, in this section, provide good examples of initiatives Against Mass Atrocity Crimes, as well as etc.,” seeking to increase trust and cooperation, as well regional mechanisms for atrocity prevention, as to build their individual and collective capacities such as the National Mechanisms for the Local and community-based actors have a unique to prevent atrocities. Consultation participants Prevention of Genocide and other Atrocity vantage to observe and assess early warning signs working at the forefront of atrocity prevention Crimes in the Great Lakes region, and the of atrocities as they arise on the ground long before agreed that establishing connections and truly Latin America Network for the Prevention of national, regional, or international actors are aware inclusive mechanisms for dialogue and collective Genocide and Mass Atrocities. of the situation. Local and community-based actors action between local peacebuilders on the ground also provide a vital context-specific understanding and national, regional, and international actors is of situations, which is imperative for a sound high priority. assessment of appropriate early response actions. Qamar Jafri points out: “If locally-led civic organisations actively engage the youth, women, children, and community leaders in building trust and cohesion, then conflicts become locally owned and local knowledge is harnessed in preventing major atrocities”.

46 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 47 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Rapid response and long-term Understanding and trusting local A birds-eye view of donor funding funding perspective

For local peacebuilders working in volatile Participants in the consultation encouraged donors for atrocity prevention conflict environments, longer-term funding, core to conduct a thorough baseline assessment of the organisational support and rapid response financing local context in a given country through the help are needed to ensure maximum flexibility and of trusted and respected local organisations. They Bridget Moix context-specific approaches that can both address also urged donors to collect more evidence from Bridget Moix is the US Senior Representative at Peace Direct root drivers of violence before it erupts and respond successful cases to inform their funding structures. adequately in the midst and aftermath of crises. As Yusuf Omar of Somalia explained: Landry Ninteretse Cecilia Deme offered this example: “A Somali saying tells us war helaa Landry Ninteretse is a civil society activist from Burundi “An example of restricted funding was in talo hela. That means the one who South Sudan, in the situation where the gets information gets a way to solve. majority of the civilian and IDP women Each problem is unique and cannot be Assessing the risks of atrocities, deciding how, when The challenges to donor support population experienced CRSV or SGBV. understood without understanding its and where to prioritise funding and finding local Children lost their parents and were in context from local perspectives and for atrocity prevention and local actors who can manage their funding requirements need of trauma healing. There was a experiences.” – particularly in a high-risk conflict context – can peacebuilding huge need for psychosocial support and all be challenges. Further, donors struggle to the organisation could not provide these Another challenge identified by consultation Donor funding can play an important role in helping understand what specific kinds of programmes services. In the case of a conflict or a civil participants was the lack of coordination and to prevent atrocities, mitigate violence against and initiatives are most needed and impactful in war, local peacebuilding organisations need sharing of information among various stakeholders civilians and promote recovery and long-term peace. a particular context. Even the best intentions of flexible funding mechanisms, so that based working within a conflict context. There is a sense In recent years, the UN and a number of donor donors to support atrocity prevention do not yet on the needs and the conflict trends, they that the lack of information sharing between donors governments, including the US and UK, have sought match the needs and escalation of violence against could use it for prevention and response as and local actors is due to a lack of trust of local to improve their funding mechanisms, policies and civilians in recent years. well.” perspectives. The issue of trust is a theme that practices to better support prevention of atrocities emerges repeatedly in many of discussions with and local peacebuilding. As donors seek to improve their funding local peacebuilders and is one that needs much 44 A recent study by the World Bank notes: mechanisms, they need to find ways to link rapid greater attention. These efforts are encouraging, but challenges to Preventing entry and relapse into a cycle support atrocity prevention remain: response with long-term sustainability. One of conflict holds the potential to save lives participant from an INGO pointed out that there Participant Nicholas Dickson commented: and avoid the immense losses in human and “Donors must trust local perspectives, • donor funding can be difficult to mobilise before are some encouraging new practices developing economic capital that accompany conflict—and because these perspectives are formed atrocities break out and can quickly dissipate among donors in this regard, including new rapid safeguard considerable development gains. It is in the tapestry of the human terrain that when immediate violence subsides; funding response mechanisms and dedicated pots of funding also cost-effective: according to a background they live in. Almost exclusively, donors are is not rapid response nor long-term, both within large grants. The challenges of sustainability, paper commissioned for this report, targeting not a true part of this terrain, and without which would be more valuable for peace and however, remain. resources toward just four countries at high risk as much understanding as possible, prevention efforts of conflict each year could prevent $34 billion Anais Caput commented: programmes/donor funds applied to this • local knowledge and perspective isn’t taken into in losses (see box 1). In comparison, spending “Rapid response mechanisms and terrain haphazardly stand to make more of account or trusted; on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations dedicated pots of funding are increasingly an issue than to solve a problem.” in 2016 was $8.2 billion and $22.1 billion, included in large grants and contracts, • and in some cases, donor funding can also respectively. especially within the U.S. However, the exacerbate conflict or even fuel atrocities. challenge of these types of rapid response mechanisms is that their funding is always small and short-term, so while it can play a key role in mitigating immediate risks of violence within a given area and among the targeted group, it often fails to address the actual underlying causes of this violence, and thus is less likely to be sustainable.”

48 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 49 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Donors doing harm Recommendations A failure in response: Finally, throughout the consultation, a reoccurring theme of discussion was the role that donors and The consultation identified a number of governments in the global North sometimes play immediate recommendations, but a major new the case of Burundi in actually fueling atrocities and violence through initiative such as a multi-donor global fund for other policies or practices. Governments can peacebuilding is likely needed to push the field unintentionally increase the risks of mass atrocities forward to more impactful and effective change. Landry Ninteretse and gross violations of human rights by turning Landry Ninteretse is a civil society activist from Burundi • International donors should establish and a blind eye to authoritarian regimes, exporting invest in innovative financing structures weapons into conflict zones and engaging in military to support locally-led prevention and campaigns that embolden or spur recruitment for peacebuilding throughout the conflict cycle. However, despite this massive financial investment extremist groups. Political context These include more rapid response funding, in Burundi’s peace and stability, the country Qamar Jafri explained: long-term prevention and peacebuilding to Following the start of the Arusha peace process, returned to violence in April 2015 after President “The cost of violence and terrorism in the address root drivers and core organisational Burundi was quickly declared eligible to receive Nkurunziza announced his running for a third term, world is in trillions of dollars every year. support to strengthen local capacities for support from the United Nations Peace Building in contravention to the Burundian constitution. Most of this money is spent on purchasing peace. Fund (PBF). The PBF is designed to address the The crisis culminated in the deaths of over 1,200 weapons, training military and conducting most pressing challenges that face post-conflict Burundians and led to the arrests of some 3,400. • Donors should build stronger partnerships counter-terrorism security operations. countries, while preventing a relapse into conflict. More than 400,000 civilians were forced to seek with local actors who have expertise in These counter-terrorism strategies have refuge in neighbouring countries. The government’s prevention and peacebuilding, consult them Between 2007 and 2016, Burundi received a total more violent retaliations from the terrorists aggressive tactics were tantamount to ‘crimes for trusted information and conflict analysis funding of USD $65 million, jointly managed by because terrorists found their recruits against humanity’, thereby prompting the opening and work toward a culture of increased trust the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB) and within the affected communities.” of investigations by the International Criminal Court between local and international partners. the Government of Burundi. These funds were (ICC) in November 2017. to address priority areas, including: governance • Funding mechanisms should be designed in and peace; the rule of law and the security Despite prior warnings made by local and ways that provide greatest flexibility for local sector; justice, human rights and reconciliation; international actors about the risks of atrocities and actors within volatile conflict environments. the sustainable socio-economic reintegration of the urgent need to invest in conflict prevention, This includes finding ways to combine vulnerable groups; continued political dialogue; Burundi finds itself in a dangerous and vulnerable rapid response with longer-term funding social cohesion; and the democratic exercise of position today. The crisis is ongoing, with repeated and reducing barriers and bureaucracy for human rights. Other donors invested heavily to human rights abuses, disappearances and killings, shifting programme approaches to respond strengthen community-level reconciliation and build a lack of political dialogue and a growing sense of to changing local needs and conflict dynamics a strong foundation for civil society in the country donor fatigue. and allow for seizing opportunities for peace alongside a political agreement. and prevention.

• Donors should take a Do No Harm approach to prevention and peacebuilding and conduct comprehensive assessments or their own policies and practices within conflict environments to understand potential negative impacts or unintended harm. Donors should prioritise prevention of mass atrocities, protection of civilians and supporting long-term sustainable peace as fundamental to their foreign policy strategies, not just a matter of specific funding streams.

50 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 51 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Lessons for donors • Anais Caput offered other considerations for donors: The country has not suffered from massive inter- “There should also be a stronger focus communal violence thanks in part to the grassroots on prevention of mass atrocities by work of non-state actors who have assumed the addressing root causes and structural role of “firefighters”. As it turns out, relatively small issues that are contributing to fuel the investments in locally-led early warning and early cycle of crisis in Burundi. Strengthening response mechanisms have been most successful in institutions, promoting positive leadership, preventing further mass atrocities. combatting corruption, addressing land issues, promoting alternative livelihoods Based on the Burundian experience, where large etc are critical elements of peacebuilding in amounts of international donor funds have not led Burundi.” to peace and stability in the country, consultation participants identified ways that donors can adopt • Participants suggested that core values and a more consistent and coherent strategy and use conditions should be applied by the donor flexible monitoring mechanisms in order to tackle community for impactful and sustainable atrocity prevention more effectively. interventions. Karoline Caesar argued that such values are “more important than financial • Hassan Mutubwa suggested that a response support” and donors need to change mindsets strategy should focus on cooperation and and operating procedures in order to prevent communication between civil society and atrocities. For Karoline Caesar, the application country governments at the global level, of values such as ‘Do No Harm,’ combined with effectively translating early warning into early a rigorous conflict analysis, a coherent strategy, action. Moses Julius Muganga from Tanzania a strong long-term and unbiased relationships asserts that transitional mechanisms such the with local actors at all levels, an understanding Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of local context and conflict drivers, better in South Africa and the Belfast Agreement in coordination of interventions and solid Northern Ireland are most effective not only in knowledge of mediation and alternative dispute preventing atrocities but also in resolution, are indispensable to reach tangible “leading to the increases of development, and durable results. gender equality, equal distributions of resources, political stability, availability of • Almost all participants insisted on the central employment, as a way of promoting and role that local actors play, especially civil society respect of human rights, democracy and organisations. A careful effort should be made good governance.” He added: “donors to ensure funding is allocated properly to should adopt strategic coherence, flexible diffuse tensions, not compromise the work of and adapted monitoring mechanisms to local organisations or divide them. A strong prevent atrocities by working closer with and united local leadership is another critical local civil society’s organisation and also attribute to local peacebuilding networks, as providing short-term and long-term plans Karoline Caesar pointed out, in in all agendas which can be the root “If networks bring a tangible and practical causes of mass atrocities.” benefit to their members, are inclusive and non-hierarchical, and if a positive, known • Participants proposed some ways that and powerful person is in favour of uniting could improve the effectiveness of large different actors, they can help build trust funding mechanisms such as PBF, such as: and bridge divides. It needs this objective, the harmonisation of institutional rules and better is not to be too technical but let it be procedures between donor institutions and organic, living, creative.” donor countries; the development of funding channels to meet competing demands; and, the allocation of funds to clusters to meet the diverse needs of recipient communities.

52 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 53 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Sarah Teitt Peace Direct authors Author biographies Dr. Sarah Teitt is the Deputy Director and Researcher at the Asia Pacific Sapna Considine Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Interim UN Representative Pascal Richard Oliver Kaplan in the School of Political Science Pascal Richard is Managing Oliver Kaplan is an Assistant and International Studies, University Adviser for Policy and Advocacy Professor at the Josef Korbel School of Queensland. In this role, Sarah is & Regional Coordinator for West of International Studies at the responsible for advancing research Bridget Moix Africa and Southeast Asia at The University of Denver. He is the author and building partnerships aimed at the US Senior Representative Global Partnership of Armed of the book, Resisting War: How prevention of genocide and other mass Conflict (GPPAC). He leads GPPAC’s Communities Protect Themselves atrocities in the Asia Pacific region. international advocacy on conflict (Cambridge University Press)45, which prevention and peacebuilding. examines how civilian communities Visaka Dharmadasa Dimitri Kotsiras organise to protect themselves from Visaka Dharmadasa is the founder Research and Advocacy Officer Laurie Mincieli wartime violence. and chair of the Association of Laurie Mincieli is GPPAC’s United War Affected Women and Parents Nations Advocacy Liaison Officer Cristina Serna of Servicemen Missing in Action. & Regional Coordinator for North Cristina Serna is the current President Specifically, she raises awareness Samuel Lobb America. of the Peasant Workers Association about the importance of soldier’s Research Assistant of the Carare River (ATCC), one identification tags and treatment of Jenny Aulin of Colombia’s earliest local peace prisoners. Jenny Aulin is the Civil Society organisations. She has worked on Editorial review Programme Manager at Inclusive issues of civilian self-protection, Ehab Badwi Peace and Transition Initiative (IPTI). community organisation, and Ehab Badwi is the Regional Focal Jessica Berns As lead for Knowledge and Practice, development and has networked Point – Middle East and North Africa she organised collective learning with local peace movements across – Humanitarian Affairs for the UN processes and co-produced practice- Colombia. Major Group for Children and Youth based resources on a variety of Human and President and Co-Founder of the Security and peacebuidling topics. Kate Lonergan Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA) Ruari Nolan Kate Lonergan is a PhD Candidate

Nagwan Soliman El-Ashwal with the Hugo Valentin Centre and Brittany Roser

Nagwan Elashwal is a conflict the Department of Peace and Conflict Brittany Roser is the Communications

transformation trainer and practitioner Research at Uppsala University. Her and Outreach Assocaite with the who has worked and supported local research focuses on reconciliation and International Coalition for the Joel Gabri teams to design dialogue processes and peacebuilding after mass violence and Responsibility to Protect (ICRtoP),

to establish early warning and rapid atrocities. where she carries out a wide range

response networks in conflict zones of research and outreach on atrocity

such as Egypt, Syria, Libya, Tunisia, and Myles Wallingford prevention and related topics. Sudan. Myles Wallingford studied journalism and political science at the University Landry Ninteretse Claudia Elliot Steven Leach of Colorado at Boulder where he Landry Ninteretse is a civil society Steven Leach is a conflict organized the annual Conference on activist from Burundi. transformation practitioner, facilitator, World Affairs. His multidisciplinary and scholar who has written on background includes work with social local approaches to early warning/ enterprises, business development early response, local ownership in organizations, political advocacy development, and the roles of religion groups, local government, and various in conflict. news publications.

54 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 55 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Erick Achola Jessica Berns Participants Programme management professional based Advisory and communications consultant in Kenya Allen Hester Cecilia Deme Jessica Olney Policy and Peacebuilding Fellow, Peace Direct Social scientist Fazeeha Azmi Programme Director, Centre for Social Integrity Sri Lankan peacebuilder Amy Rebecca Marsico Charlotte Fraser Joel Gabri Conflict and peacebuilding practitioner Communications Officer, Peace Direct Florence Kayemba Peace Technology Officer, Peace Direct Programme Manager, Stakeholder Anaïs Caput Chikaodili Orakwue Democracy Network Joel Obengo Africa Programme Development Manager, Research Fellow, Institute for Peace and Conflict Administrator, Kenyatta University, and a member Search for Common Ground Resolution Abuja, Nigeria Hakizimana Eric of the Comprehensive Test Ban Organization Peacebuilder (CTBTO) Youth Group Ann Marie Hager Christina Hasenhuettls Conflict Researcher Post-Conflict Research Centre Hassan Mutubwa John Dada Project planning and management professional CEO (volunteer), Fantsuam Foundation Anne Connell Christine Mutisya coordinating peace and conflict transformation Assistant Director, Women and Foreign Policy, International development practitioner projects. Jonas Ecke Council on Foreign Relations Researcher Claudia Elliott Jai-Ayla Quest Ashley Greene Communications consultant, Peace Direct Programme Officer (Mass Violence and Atrocities), Kais Aliriani Assistant Professor of Holocaust and Genocide The Stanley Foundation International development consultant, and founder Studies, Keene State College Comfort Attah of the Yemen Social Fund for Develoment Peace Ambassador James Offuh Bella Nceke Peace advocate, social dialogue and Karoline Caesar Programme Officer, American Friends Service Cristina Serna reconciliation facilitator Senior Programme Officer, Robert Bosch Committee (AFSC) President, Peasant Workers Association Stiftung GmbH of the Carare River (ATCC) - Colombia Jane Obiora Boubacar Issa Traoré Peacebuilder and gender advocate in Nigeria Kate Ferguson Executive Secretary, Peace One Day Mali Cynthia Cohen Director of Research and Policy, Protection Programme Director - Peacebuilding and the Arts, Janvier Bigirimana Approaches (UK) Bridget Moix Brandeis University Burundian lawyer and human rights activist, Central US Representative, Peace Direct and East Africa Legal Officer at Minority Rights Kate Lonergan Daniel Solomon Group International PhD candidate, Uppsala University Brittany Roser Research Assistant, Simon-Skjodt Centre for the Communications and Outreach Associate, Prevention of Genocide Jared Bell Kazi Nasrin Siddiqa International Coalition for the Responsibility Assistant Professor of International Relations, President, Education and Cultural Society (ECS), and to Protect David Porter International University of Sarajevo Country Coordinator (Bangladesh), Peace Revolution Peacebuilder Bunly Soeung Jean Baptiste Niyongabo Kim Bode Cambodian peace practitioner Dimitri Kotsiras Peacebuilder Community Editor of Geopolitics, News Deeply Research and Advocacy Officer, Peace Direct Byron Cabrol Jean Bosco Harerimana Landry Ninteretse Research Assistant, Peace Direct Ehab Badwi Peacebuilder Burundian peacebuilder Regional Focal Point (MENA) - Humanitarian Affairs, Catherine Bartenge UN Major Group for Children and Youth, and Jenny Aulin Laurie Mincieli Researcher, African Leadership Centre President of the Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA) Civil Society Programme Manager, Inclusive UN Liaison Officer, Global Partnership for the Peace & Transition Initiative (IPTI) Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)

56 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 57 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Lumenge Lubangu Nagwan Elashwal Pascal Richard Sawssan Abou-Zahr Peacebuilder in the Democratic Republic of Congo Chairperson, regional Centre for Mediation Managing Advisor - Policy and Advocacy, Global Lebanese journalist, editor and consultant and Dialogue (RCMD) Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict Maha Alsakban (GPPAC) Simeon Alozieuwa Pediatrics consultant and human rights defender Nagwan Soliman Elashwal Researcher and scholar Research Associate (Middle East Directions Patricia Morris Maher Falak Sher Tahir Programme), Robert Schuman Centre for Researcher Stephen Oola Aid practitioner in Advanced Studies Advisor - Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Joint Patrick Sigei Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Mamoun Karbash Natalija Fisher Research Assistant, National Cohesion and Executive Director, Sudanese Organization for Expert in water security, youth engagement, Integration Commission, Kenya Steven Leach Nonviolence and Development (SONAD) and social cohesion Conflict transformation - consultant, PCRC Intern researcher, facilitator Mariana Goetz Nawal Osman Post-Conflict Research Centre Head of Programmes and Learning, Aegis Trust Sudanese activist Sudaba Shiraliyeva Qamar Jafri Director, Center Women and Modern World Marie Lamensch Sadia Hameed PhD candidate, RMIT University, Australia Project Coordinator, Montreal Institute for Managing Director, Nexus Fund Tatiana Gos Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) Rene Claude Niyonkuru Academic Programmes Officer, Auschwitz Institute Nicholas Dickson PhD researcher, University of Louvain (Belgium) Matt Unger Active Duty Civil Affairs Officer, United States Visaka Dharmadasa Chief Product Officer, News Deeply Army, currently assigned to the 85th Civil Affairs Ruairi Nolan Chairperson, Association of War Affected Women Brigade as Commander Head of Research and Engagement, Peace Direct Michael Olufemi Sodipo, Ph.D Yogesh Mishra Project Coordinator, Peace Initiative Network (PIN) Nneka Ikelionwu Sapna Considine Researcher Research and Policy Analysis, Federal Ministry Interim UN Representative, Peace Direct Mollie Zapata of Foreign Affairs, Institute of Peace and Conflict Yusuf Omar Research Associate, Simon-Skjodt Centre for Resolution Sarah Teitt Research Associate, SOAS University of London the Prevention of Genocide, the US Holocaust Deputy Director, Asia Pacific Centre for the Memorial Museum Obi Peter Responsibility to Protect, Civil society leader Moses Chasieh Burundi Country Representative, American Oliver Kaplan Friends Service Committee (AFSC) Assistant Professor, Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Moses Julius Muganga Founder and Director, Alpha and Omega Oluwasanmi Fademi Reconciliation and Peace Building (AREPEB), The Fademi Jacobson Foundation Tanzania Omer Al-Shareqi Mugahed Al-Shaibah Researcher and human rights advocate Yemeni peacebuilder Onyekachukwu Ugwu Myles Wallingford Peace scholar and conflict analyst with penchant Programme Coordinator, Post-Conflict for research Research Centre

58 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 59 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 17 Oliver Kaplan (2017): Resisting War: How Communities Protect Themselves. Online: http://www. Endnotes cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/politics-international-relations/international-relations-and- international-organisations/resisting-war-how-communities-protect-themselves#O1qCcOFIicuImjwF.97 1 United Nations (2014): Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes: A Tool for Prevention. Online: http:// 18 Local to Global Protection: https://www.local2global.info/resources www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/documents/publications-and-resources/Framework%20of%20 Analysis%20for%20Atrocity%20Crimes_EN.pdf 19 Kaplan, op.cit.

2 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998), online: https://www.icc-cpi.int/nr/rdonlyres/ 20 Reed M. Wood & Christopher Sullivan (2015): Doing Harm by Doing Good? The Negative Externalities ea9aeff7-5752-4f84-be94-0a655eb30e16/0/rome_statute_english.pdf of Humanitarian Aid Provision During Conflict. Online: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/ abs/10.1086/681239 3 Alliance for Peacebuilding (2013): Selected Definitions of Peacebuilding. Online: http://www.allianceforpeacebuilding.org/2013/08/selected-definitions-of-peacebuilding 21 Maria J. Stephan (2015): Resisting ISIS. Sojo Magazine. Online: https://sojo.net/magazine/april-2015/resisting-isis?id=20718 4 UN Peacebuilding Support Office: Peacebuilding and the United Nations. Online: http://www.un.org/en/peacebuilding/pbso/pbun.shtml 22 We Won’t Wait (2017): Oxfam and Saferworld briefing paper. Online: https://www.saferworld.org.uk/ downloads/bp-yemen-women-in-peacebuilding-300117-en.pdf 5 Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (2015): Multi-stakeholder Processes for Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding: A Manual. Online: http://www.mspguide.org/sites/default/files/resource/ 23 UNDP Yemen (2017): ‘Our Home Cannot be the Battleground!’, Women-led Initiative to Prevent Violence. gppac_mspmanual_interactive_version_final_jan2016_1.pdf Online: http://www.ye.undp.org/content/yemen/en/home/ourwork/crisispreventionandrecovery/ successstories/our-home-cannot-be-the-battleground---women-led-initiative-to-pr.html 6 Ibid. 24 Al-Sakkaf, Nasser (2017): Yemeni Women Break Taboos to Join Police. TRT World. 7 UN General Assembly (2005): UNGA Resolution on the 2005 World Summit Outcome. Online: https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/yemeni-women-break-taboos-to-join-police-9100 Online: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/ods/A-RES-60-1-E.pdf 25 Peace Insight (2017): Transitional Justice and Reconciliation. 8 International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect: A Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. Online: https://www.peaceinsight.org/themes/transitional-justice-reconciliation Online: http://responsibilitytoprotect.org/ICRtoP%20Toolkit%20on%20the%20Responsibility%20 to%20Protect%20high%20res.pdf 26 Kelly Mckone (2015): Reconciliation in Practice. US Institute of Peace. Online: https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW111-Reconciliation-in-Practice.pdf 9 United Nations (2016): Security Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution 2282 (2016) on Review of United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture. Online: https://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sc12340.doc.htm 27 Balkan Diskurs (2015): My Body, a War Zone: Breaking the Silence Surrounding Sexual Violence in Conflict. Peace Insight. Online: https://www.peaceinsight.org/blog/2015/09/my-body-a-war-zone- 10 Lisa Schirch: Separate Tracks, Common Goals: Preventing Genocide and Conflict. Alliance for breaking-the-silence-surrounding-sexual-violence-in-conflict/ Peacebuilding. Online: http://buildingpeaceforum.com/2013/09/separate-tracks-common-goals- preventing-genocide-and-conflict/ 28 Sabina Cehajic-Clancy & Michal Bilewicz (2017): Fostering Reconciliation Through Historical Moral Exemplars in a Postconflict Society. Online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313817997_ 11 Budapest Centre for Mass Atrocities Prevention (2014): What is Mass Atrocities Prevention? Fostering_Reconciliation_Through_Historical_Moral_Exemplars_in_a_Postconflict_Society Online: http://www.genocideprevention.eu/what-is-mass-atrocities-prevention/ 29 Ibid 12 Alex J. Bellamy (2011): Mass Atrocities and Armed Conflict: Links, Distinctions, and Implications for the Responsibility to Prevent. The Stanley Foundation. Online: https://www.stanleyfoundation.org/ 30 Kate Lonergan (2017): Does Reconciliation Prevent Future Atrocities? Evaluating Practice in Sri Lanka. publications/pab/BellamyPAB22011.pdf US Institute of Peace. Online: https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW132-Does-Reconciliation- Prevent-Future-Atrocities-Evaluating-Practice-in-Sri-Lanka.pdf 13 United Nations (2009): Report of the Secretary-General on Peacebuilding in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict. Online: https://www.un.org/en/peacebuilding/pbso/pdf/s2009304.pdf 31 International Center for Transitional Justice (2009): What Is Transitional Justice? Online: https://www.ictj.org/about/transitional-justice 14 Susanne Schmeidl & Eugenia Piza-Lopez (2002): Gender and Conflict Early Warning: A Framework for Action. International Alert. Online: http://www.international-alert.org/sites/default/files/publications/ 32 Amrita Kapur & Kelli Muddell (2016): When No One Calls It Rape: Addressing Sexual Violence Against EWGEN.pdf Men and Boys. International Center for Transitional Justice. Online: https://www.ictj.org/publication/ sexual-violence-men-boys 15 Dag Hammarskjold Foundation (2015): Inclusive Peacebuilding: Recognised but not Realised. Online: http://www.daghammarskjold.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/DD63_DHF_final_web.pdf 33 UN Women (2012): Gender-Responsive Early Warning: Overview and How-to Guide. Online: http://cu-csds.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/unwomen2012vdk.pdf 16 Bridget Moix (2015): Moving Upstream and Going Local: The Responsibility to Protect Ten Years Later. Online: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/politicsandgovernance/article/view/311 34 Elisabeth Jean Wood (2009): Armed Groups and Sexual Violence: When Is Wartime Rape Rare? Online: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0032329208329755

60 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 61 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 35 Amelia Hoover Green (2016): The Commander’s Dilemma: Creating and Controlling Armed Group Violence. Online: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0022343316653645 The United States Institute of Peace provided 36 UN Department of Social and Economic Affairs (2015): World Population Prospects: The 2015 financial support for the convening described Revision. Online: https://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/publications/files/key_findings_wpp_2015.pdf in this report and the report itself. The opinions, 37 Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect: Global Network of R2P Focal Points: Preventing Mass findings, and conclusions or recommendations Atrocity Crimes. Online: http://www.globalr2p.org/media/files/r2p_focalpoints_factsheet.pdf expressed in this report are those of the 38 Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect: Global Network of R2P Focal Points: Regional Breakdown. author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the Online: http://www.globalr2p.org/media/files/regional-breakdown_global-network-of-r2p-focal-points-1.pdf .views of the United States Institute of Peace 39 The White House (2012): Fact Sheet: A Comprehensive Strategy and New Tools to Prevent and Respond to Atrocities. Online: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/23/fact-sheet- comprehensive-strategy-and-new-tools-prevent-and-respond-atro

40 The Latin American Network for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (La Red): https://redlatinoamericana.org

41 Global Action Against Mass Atrocities Crimes (GMMAC): http://www.gaamac.org

42 Ibid.

43 UN Office for Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect: http://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/index.html

44 The World Bank (2017): Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict. Online: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/28337/211162mm.pdf

45 Amnesty International (2000): Colombia: Return to Hope – Forcibly Displaced Communities of Uraba and Medio Atrato Region. Online: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr23/023/2000/en

62 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding 63 Peace Direct | Atrocity prevention and peacebuilding Greg Funnell Greg

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