British Institute of International and Comparative Law - Research - Armed Conflicts, Peacekeeping, Transitional Justice: Law as Solution

Armed Conflicts, Peacekeeping, Transitional Justice: Law as Solution

(ATLAS)

ATLAS is the result of a response to a call of the European Commission on the topic "Articulation of the Rule of Law and Protection of Human Rights at National, European and International Levels" which falls within the scope of activity, "Conflicts, Peace and Human Rights", within the 7th EC Framework Programme.

Overall Objective of the Research

To contribute to the reinforcement of the rule of law during and after armed conflicts.
To review the current activity of the EU in promoting human rights and international humanitarian law both during and after armed conflicts, mainly through its peace-keeping operations, and to offer recommendations for improvements and best practice in these activities.

Aims and Goals

Examine the existing international law in regard to the protection of civilians in post-conflict situations, especially in regard to the treatment of women and children.
Examine the extent to which EU external policy (specifically Common and Foreign Security Policy) has a human rights and international humanitarian law component and compare this to the development of international law more generally.
Study selected EU and UN peacekeeping operations to provide a comparison of their remits and activities, and compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. Particular attention will be paid to peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan and in Former Yugoslavia.
Consider how the EU may contribute to promoting respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in its peacekeeping operations. Focus will be on the EU (and some Member States of the EU) peacekeeping operations in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Haiti and Cambodia.
Determine how amnesties, impunities and criminal justice contribute to post-conflict national reconciliation. Analyse if they are antagonistic or if they can be reconciled in a manner that satisfies the requirements of international human rights law and the rule of law.
Offer recommendations, codes of conduct for civil and military peacekeeping personnel, and best practice guidelines for policy-makers in the EU and its member states. This may include methods to develop and/or strengthen the existing legal framework to increase the legitimacy and consistency of peace operations in conflicts, and to increase compliance with human rights and compatibility with the specific needs of various actors.
Disseminate results to European institutions, relevant NGOs, representatives of local governments, peacekeeping decision makers, jurists etc.