Summary: Working Group on Peace and Disarmament

Conflict transformation: How civil society can make a difference

This Session brought attention to several very intractable conflicts, involving great human suffering (Iraq, Colombia, Afghanistan). The governments involved (or the UN, in the case of Iraq), seem unable to break the circle of violence. These conflicts show the indispensable role of civil society in filling the gap to press for dialogue, reconciliation and economic/social development.

Rachel Jullian described the work of the International Non-Violent Peace Force. This has been going for three years, with the first pilot project scheduled for 2003. The goal is to assemble a Peace Force of about 2,000 people by ten years from now. This Force would take on the wide variety of tasks at present done by military peace-keepers (eg protecting safe havens, demining etc), but for which civilians are better suited.

Leonor Zolabata of Confederación Indigena Tayrona described the worsening civil war in Colombia. Much of the country lacks any government presence, or protection against the rebels or militias. The paramilitaries are growing more powerful. Many of the numerous internally displaced people are indigenous. Although attempts to help peace efforts continue by outside organisations such as the ICRC, UN Commissioner for Human Rights and OAS, the political will for peace amongst the parties to the conflict seems to be still lacking.

Sayed Wahid of the Afghan NGOs Coordination Bureau described the 23-year old conflict in Afghanistan. Much of the country was destroyed by Soviet forces during the Soviet occupation. The tribal system and lack of education (2% literacy) discourages development. The current US-led military action against Al Qaida stands little chance of bringing lasting peace.

Shakir A-Dujally of the Iraqi Democratic Association painted a grim picture of Iraq. After the huge human losses of the Iran-Iraq war, the Gulf War brought further devastation to Iraq and the human toll from UN sanctions is great: over 1 million have died, including many children, from disease and hunger. The priority is to end UN sanctions, while maintaining the military embargo and diplomatic isolation of the Saddam Hussein regime. The Iraqi opposition is divided, but the only hope is to support all its elements inside and outside Iraq. A war against Iraq, as planned by the US and UK, would be a catastrophe for the Iraqi people.

Surprising issues
One woman participant from Africa described the way that women from the Manu river in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea have formed a group opposing the wars in their countries. This has helped pressure their governments to take steps to end these conflicts. Women in other parts of the world can exert similar influence in conflict situations (and some are doing so).

It was also noted that embargoes such as UN sanctions against Iraq often hurt the people of the targeted country while the governing regime is left unscathed or even (as in Iraq) strengthened. Sanctions should be firmly directed at the leadership. 

Interesting questions
One questioner asked if the Oil for Food programme has helped the Iraqi people. Mr. Al-Dujally replied that it had not gone far enough: Iraqis need broad-based economic assistance, not just limited quantities of food.

Another participant (from Palestine) noted that in severe conflicts such as in the occupied territories it is difficult to support peace in the face of grave oppression and injustice.

Conclusions
While time was limited, the discussion underlined the way that governments are often unwilling or unable to resolve conflicts on their own. Through their examples, it was clear that participants agreeed that there is a need for civil society to actively involve itself in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building.

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