How to deal with Non-state Armed Actors

With the takeover of power by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the possibilities and limits of international peace operations are being newly discussed. Experiences from Central America and Colombia show that not only the return of the past but also the lack of structural reforms threaten peace. An analysis.

Applying a Historical Institutionalist framework, the authors of this article assess the impact of the adoption of amnesty laws on societal impunity, defined as any person or group being exempt from punishment or free from the injurious consequences of an action.

In Latin America, most violence is considered “criminal.” But a clear-cut distinction between political and criminal violence does not exist. Policies to reduce violence meander between repression and dialogue but lack comprehensiveness, and a focus on prevention, the rule of law, and human rights.

Non-state armed actors come in a variety of shapes including warlord-led groups. In war or lower-level armed conflict, and violence-prone contexts, these groups pose severe problems to peacebuilding, democratic governance, and sustainable development. This trend analysis maps cross-regional developments.

Human Security in the Police Service. A Joint Construction for Life and Peace, Academía de la Policía Nacional, Bogotá Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Speaker)

The Colombian Police discusses how to adopt the frame of human security in their work.

Organiser: German-Colombian Peace Institute Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Speaker)

Workshop on SSR organized by CAPAZ and the University of Antioquia in Medellin

The asasination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio becomes part of Latin America's search for security policies to confront organised crime. Two models are pursued: El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele opts for extreme repression while Colombian President Gustavo Petro favours talks for disarmament.

Nach Kundgebung in Ecuador: Präsidentschaftskandidat Villavicencio wurde bei einem Attentat getötet. Was das für die anstehenden Wahlen im Land bedeutet, ordnet GIGA-Expertin Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach für tagesschau24 ein.

Im Mai rief der ecuadorianische Präsident Guillermo Lasso zu vorgezogenen Neuwahlen für Präsident und Parlament auf. Am 10. August wurde der Präsidentschaftskandidat Fernando Villavicencio ermordet. Was bedeutet dies für die Wahlen am 20. August? 

President Nayib Bukele has imposed a state of emergency for 30 days as El Salvador grapples with a sudden increase in slayings. Could an alleged soured pact between the government and notorious gangs be the reason? 

El Salvador's president declared the state of emergency a month ago. Over 20,000 young people have been detained after a wave of homiciedes in March. What happened?

Violence in El Salvador is a persistent problem as are repressive approaches by the governments.

Los juicios masivos que anunció Nayib Bukele en El Salvador tienen antecedentes históricos, pero algunos de ellos representan claras violaciones contra los derechos humanos, según expertos.

El Salvador and other countries in the region declare states of emergency to combatviolent crime. However this strategy rarely works.

Neighbours, regional organisations and networks of different actors play an important role for conflict dynamics. They can either promote peacebuilding or the prolongation and escalation of violent conflicts. The infographic illustrates this.

With the takeover of power by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the possibilities and limits of international peace operations are being newly discussed. Experiences from Central America and Colombia show that not only the return of the past but also the lack of structural reforms threaten peace. An analysis.

Applying a Historical Institutionalist framework, the authors of this article assess the impact of the adoption of amnesty laws on societal impunity, defined as any person or group being exempt from punishment or free from the injurious consequences of an action.

In Latin America, most violence is considered “criminal.” But a clear-cut distinction between political and criminal violence does not exist. Policies to reduce violence meander between repression and dialogue but lack comprehensiveness, and a focus on prevention, the rule of law, and human rights.