Suchergebnisse

This article discusses the role that prisons & prisoners can play in the resolution of low-intensity intrastate conflicts. It argues that, despite the limited literature on the topic, the "prisons issue" is a vital part of any conflict resolution process featuring state & substate terrorist groups. Using examples from low-intensity conflicts in Northern Ireland, Italy, Spain, Colombia, South Africa, & Germany, the article argues that there are three clearly identifiable roles that the prisons can play. (1) They are an important part of the postconflict reconciliation process. The release of prisoners is an important element in any attempt to heal the divisions that have opened up in societies that have been involved in a protracted low-intensity conflict by reintegrating combatants back into society. (2) The prison can be a channel of communication &/or a venue for dialogue between the state & insurgent group. This is because prisons are often the only place during a conflict where members of illegal organizations & representatives of the state come into regular contact with each other. (3) Prisoners are an important negotiation issue in themselves with release often being an important objective of substate groups in any dialogue with the state. Adapted from the source document.

This working paper explores the linkage between security sector reform and development assistance in countering radicalization. It is argued that security is an essential prerequisite to sustainable development. The premise of this paper is that there are important security sector reform objectives that are essential in countering radicalisation through addressing many of the underlying root causes that can create and sustain radical opposition to authoritarian or totalitarian governments in developing countries. It is often the case that the security forces are themselves not so much guarantors of security but rather a key agent of insecurity in themselves. At its simplest security sector reform seeks to improve the professional capacity of the security sector while at the same time also seeking to ensure that it respects human rights and is not corrupt and properly accountable.