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| DEMOCRATISATION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
Democracy and human rights are intimately linked to dynamics of peace and conflict but tend to be very loosely defined. Internal and external actors have different interpretations of what these principles mean and how they should be put in place and acted upon. This endeavour is particularly problematic in the face of weak capacity in governance institutions and/or systems of power relations which combine to severely limit responsiveness and accountability. Yet it is clear that the denial of basic freedoms and democratic rights and/or continued poor performance of institutions in responding equitably to citizens’ needs can contribute to the outbreak of widespread violence and the perpetuation of instability. In settings emerging from war, instability can also be perpetuated by psychological trauma and a sense that those that have perpetrated gross violations of human rights are enjoying impunity.
The IfP's work on these issues will focus on how to improve participation in political decision-making in conflict-prone and -affected contexts. It will encompass analysis of how citizens understand governance processes and institutions and how they can have greater influence on them. Drawing out lessons from four countries in particular (Georgia, Pakistan, Angola and DRC), it will identify the ways and means by which a culture of genuine political participation can be built, and how this endeavour can best be supported by external actors. It will examine political structures, systems and processes (including decentralisation), and whether and how they can contribute towards building peace. It will also look at obstacles, such as impunity and the exclusion of certain population groups, which impede the emergence of stronger state-citizen relations and better governance more broadly.
The IfP partners collaborating in this work are The Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’, European Peacebuilding Liason Office (EPLO), La Fundación para las Relaciones Internacionales y el Diálogo Exterior (FRIDE), International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), International Alert and Partners for Democratic Change International (PDCI).
Cluster coordinator: Herta Eckert
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LATEST DEMOCRATISATION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE PUBLICATIONS
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Climate Change, Governance and Fragility: Rethinking Adaptation
Lessons from Nepal
Author(s): Janani Vivekananda
2010-12-25
This paper is a collection of reflections from a field visit to three districts in the middle hills and Terai belt of eastern Nepal (Sunsari, Dhankuta and Morang) which set out to explore the various dimensions of the resilience of climate-affected communities. By sharing the perceptions and insights of community members from these districts, this paper aims to shed light on the complexities of these particular local contexts and flag some of the specific challenges of responding to climate change in fragile and conflict-affected contexts such as Nepal. |
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Media and Governance in Pakistan
A controversial yet essential relationship
Author(s): Marco Mezzera and Safdar Sial
2010-10-29
This report is the result of a consultative process with the EC Delegation in Islamabad, which started at the end of November 2009. Following the release, earlier that year, of another IfP report that looked at the complex nature of the relationship between the Pakistani state and its citizens, the role of the media and its position within the country’s overall governance system was perceived as one of the most interesting socio-political trends to be followed and further analysed. Against a media landscape that has exponentially grown since the beginning of the new millennium, still many questions exist concerning its independence and professionalism. This report elaborates in depth on the origins of the media in the country, the main reasons for its recent impressive growth and its current relations with the power holders. |
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The European Union and Transitional Justice
Author(s): Laura Davis
2010-06-15
Transitional justice can help societies address the legacy of systematic human rights violations committed during violent conflict and repressive rule through prosecutions, truth-seeking, reparations and institutional reform. Transitional justice is not a new field for the EU, and the EU is a major contributor to transitional justice initiatives, especially international criminal justice. This paper analyses EU policy provisions for transitional justice. It argues that rather than simply support endeavours undertaken by others, the EU should draw on its experience and international best practice to develop a holistic EU approach to transitional justice to help it meet its foreign policy objectives. |
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