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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Hind Kabawat, Deputy Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission Office in Geneva. Hind shares her insights from growing up in Damascus to becoming a key figure in the Geneva peace talks.
Hind delves into the profound challenges faced during the Syrian conflict, from the brutal dictatorship to the devastating chemical attacks in Ghouta. She recounts the harrowing experiences of Syrian activists and civilians who have endured unimaginable suffering, and how the Arab Spring ignited a flame of hope among Syrians longing for change.
As a lawyer and peacebuilder, Hind emphasizes the importance of women's involvement in peace negotiations. She discusses her pioneering efforts to create a women's consultation, overcoming opposition from male colleagues, and ultimately securing a 30% quota for women’s representation in the opposition delegation during the Syrian peace negotiations. Hind illustrates how these efforts brought together women from diverse backgrounds to push for justice, human rights, and the inclusion of their voices in shaping Syria’s future.
Listeners will gain insight into some of the challenges faced by the Syrian opposition delegation, including the difficulty of negotiating with actors actively killing their families and friends. Hind also provides insights into the delegation’s strategic use of media, and the critical roles played by women as well as grassroots movements in sustaining dialogue and preparing for a future peace. Hind candidly shares her views on the international community’s role, the failures of the Geneva talks, and the persistent need for transitional justice in Syria.
Hind’s story is a testament to the resilience and determination required to pursue peace in the face of adversity. Her message is clear: peace is not just about negotiations at the table; it’s about fostering a culture of dialogue, inclusion, and justice that transcends political will. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamics of peacebuilding, the power of women in conflict resolution, and the ongoing struggle for a peaceful future in Syria.
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In part two of our conversation with Robert Ford, former U.S. Ambassador to Syria, we delve into the turbulent years of 2011-2014, a period marked by the breakdown of dialogue, escalating conflict, and the Geneva Peace Talks.
Key Topics Covered:
The Role of Embassies: Ford emphasizes the importance of neutrality in diplomatic missions, highlighting how U.S. involvement often complicates matters.Dialogue Gone Wrong: The attempted dialogue between the Syrian government and protesters was abruptly derailed, leading to a full-blown conflict and a call for a ceasefire by the UN.The Geneva Peace Talks: Ford provides an insider’s view of the Geneva process, where the Syrian opposition and government were supposed to negotiate a transitional government. However, the talks quickly fell apart when Assad’s regime refused to discuss political transition, focusing only on security arrangements.Challenges of Negotiation: Ford discusses the difficulty of overcoming a “no” in negotiations, especially when one side has a military advantage. This lack of compromise led to the collapse of the peace talks.Lessons for Mediators: Drawing from his experiences, Ford offers practical advice on coalition-building and the pitfalls of making promises that can’t be kept—a mistake the U.S. made repeatedly, damaging its credibility.Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into the complexities of the Syrian crisis and the lessons that can be learned for future peace negotiations.
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This episode of Lawyering Peace features part one of a conversation with Ambassador Robert Ford, who led the political office in the U.S. Embassy in Iraq from 2004 - 2006, during a pivotal time in the country’s history. Charged with helping Iraq rebuild its government, Ford offers a candid reflection on the challenges and lessons learned from the 2005 Iraqi elections—an event that was as much about international diplomacy as it was about democracy.
Key takeaways from the episode:
UN-led Process: The 2005 Iraqi elections were spearheaded by the UN, but the U.S. played a significant role in ensuring security, highlighting the complexities of balancing international and local dynamics.Election Dynamics: The setup of the elections was influenced by various agendas, leading to unintended consequences, such as the Sunni boycott, which exacerbated existing political tensions.The Importance of Communication: Ford underscores the critical need for effective communication within and between different U.S. entities, such as the military and the embassy, to navigate the delicate post-conflict environment.Strategic Decisions: From promoting federalism to handling oil profits, Ford discusses the nuanced negotiations and strategic decisions that shaped Iraq’s transition from authoritarianism to democracy.Robert Ford's insights offer a profound understanding of how elections, when not complemented by broader political processes, can sometimes deepen divides rather than bridge them.
Tune in to this episode for a deep dive into the realities of post-conflict elections and the lessons that can inform future peacebuilding efforts.
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In this episode of Lawyering Peace, we sit down with Ambassador Jorge Lomanco, a distinguished diplomat from Mexico who has served as an ambassador to both the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Organization of American States. As the chief negotiator of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, for which he and his team were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Ambassador Lomanco brings a wealth of experience to the table.
The conversation dives deep into the critical role human rights play in achieving durable peace. Ambassador Lomanco discusses the moral obligation to prioritize human rights at every level of peace negotiations, emphasizing that the protection of these rights is essential for durable peace. He provides insights into how human rights have been both pivotal and sidelined in various peace processes around the world, from transitions in Latin American states to South Africa's peace process.
Ambassador Lomanco also tackles the challenges of centering human rights in peace negotiations, particularly when dealing with regimes that have committed widespread abuses. He explores the often difficult choices between offering amnesty to dictators and the need for accountability, sharing examples from Venezuela, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, and beyond.
Moreover, the episode sheds light on the role of the UN Human Rights Council in conflict situations, highlighting its responsibilities, tools, and the importance of remaining engaged to prevent the escalation of violence. Ambassador Lomanco shares his views on the impact of Commissions of Inquiry and the future intersection of peace and human rights, stressing the major impact of political will and international cooperation on the effectiveness of UN mechanisms.
Amb. Lomanco reflects on the significant contributions of the UN and regional bodies like the Organization of American States (OAS) in shaping a world where human rights are increasingly protected, even amidst ongoing challenges. This episode offers a profound look at the complexities of integrating human rights into peace processes and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure lasting peace.
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Dive into the riveting behind-the-scenes story of Sudan’s 2020 Juba Peace Agreement negotiations with Mohammed al-Ta'ishi, chief negotiator for the Sudanese Transitional Government and key architect of the Agreement. In this must-listen episode of Lawyering Peace, al-Ta'ishi reveals the challenges and triumphs of negotiating peace amidst Sudan's complex military and civilian dynamics.
From his roots in South Darfur to leading pivotal peace talks for his country, al-Ta'ishi offers a unique perspective on the intricate art of negotiation. Learn how he managed an eclectic civilian-military delegation, dealt with nefarious actors, navigated power-sharing dilemmas, and championed transitional justice. His insights provide a critical understanding of the current conflict in Sudan and offer valuable lessons in negotiation and peacebuilding.
Mohammed al-Ta'ishi's story is a testament to the power of determination, good faith, and the relentless pursuit of peace. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of the chief architects of the Juba Agreement and gain a deeper understanding of Sudan's journey toward peace.
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In this special episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, we are honored to host Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre, who brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as Paraguay's Minister of Foreign Affairs and as the Vice President of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Aguirre has also served as Paraguay's Ambassador to the United States, Canada, and Brazil, and as Head of Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Ambassador Aguirre delves into the critical role that human rights protections play in building and sustaining durable peace. Drawing from his experience in various conflict zones, he highlights how acknowledging human rights violations during conflict during the peace processes, is foundational to achieving lasting peace. Through the lens of the Colombian conflict, Aguirre discusses the challenges in balancing the immediate need to end violence with the necessity of embedding human rights into peace negotiations.
He emphasizes that for peace to be sustainable, it must be built on the ground, starting with the empowerment of local communities. Aguirre argues that human rights should not only be a component of peace agreements but also a core principle guiding the entire peacebuilding process. He shares insights on how the United Nations Human Rights Council's mechanisms, such as fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry, can provide crucial information that ensures accountability and justice are part of the peace process.
Ambassador Aguirre also calls for a shift from a reactive to a more preventive approach in addressing human rights abuses, advocating for greater collaboration and information-sharing among human rights bodies to promote more comprehensive and effective peacebuilding strategies.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of human rights and peace processes, as it provides actionable insights and recommendations for integrating human rights into the heart of peacebuilding efforts.
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Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran joins Dr. Williams on this compelling episode of Lawyering Peace. Mr. Rudrakumaran, or Rudra, served as the former legal advisor to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the peace talks with the Government of Sri Lanka that commenced in 2000. He is currently heading the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam in exile as its Prime Minister.
Rudra provides a vivid recount of the context leading to the Norwegian-facilitated peace process in Thailand, detailing his journey to becoming the LTTE’s chief legal advisor. He delves into the unique challenges faced by lawyers representing non-state armed actors in peace negotiations, particularly the struggle to achieve and maintain parity with state actors amidst international perspectives favoring states.
Through gripping narratives, Rudra illustrates how the LTTE sought to counterbalance the government’s legal and resource advantages by leveraging the Tamil diaspora and engaging in strategic lawfare. He offers practical advice for lawyers on how to effectively integrate into their client's team and utilize soft power to influence negotiations.
Rudra's experiences underscore Dr. Williams’ frequent assertion about the need to understand and navigate the parallel agendas of international mediators. He candidly discusses how these separate interests contributed to the challenges faced by the LTTE and the eventual collapse of the peace process. The episode also touches on the importance of diaspora involvement, the dynamics between local communities and the diaspora, and the pursuit of justice through international mechanisms.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the Sri Lankan peace talks, the role of lawyers in representing non-state actors, and the impact of international third-party mediators in peace processes.
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In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Dr. Paul Williams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Meg deGuzman, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Institute for International Law and Public Policy at Temple University. Professor de Guzman, a distinguished judge at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and Senior Peace Fellow at PILPG, shares her expansive view on the role of justice mechanisms in building durable peace.
Throughout the interview, they explore the complexities and nuances of international justice and the evolution of accountability. Professor deGuzman highlights the potential of non-judicial accountability mechanisms, such as truth commissions and reparations. While the proliferation of judicial mechanisms like the International Criminal Court has been significant, she points out that these non-judicial approaches are not receiving the same attention but hold substantial promise for contributing to justice and durable peace. Reflecting on her experiences from the Rome negotiations for the International Criminal Court to her work at the Yugoslavia Tribunal, Professor de Guzman provides a candid assessment of the impact of justice on peace processes.
Join us for a compelling discussion on the evolving landscape of international justice, the successes and limitations of current mechanisms, and the critical role that diverse accountability mechanisms can play in fostering lasting peace.
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In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Anna Triponel delves into the challenging yet hopeful post-Gaddafi era in Libya. After nearly 50 years of authoritarian rule, the nation faced the monumental task of building a new identity from the ground up, with no existing rule of law infrastructure or constitution. The Libyan people encountered a myriad of obstacles, including the widespread circulation of weapons and deep-seated distrust among various factions.
Anna, who led PILPG’s efforts to advise Libya on the post-conflict constitutional process and specifically headed the Libyan women’s cohort during this transformative period, discusses the initial enthusiasm for the constitution-building process. She highlights how this enthusiasm waned as the complexities of unifying a country with stark regional and ethnic differences became apparent. Anna emphasizes the difficulties of fostering loyalty to a national identity while respecting regional diversities and the critical role of building client relationships through understanding individuals' backgrounds and motivations.
One of the key highlights of the episode is Anna’s work with the Libyans to develop a domestic accountability mechanism for atrocity crimes, illustrating their desire for local justice over international interventions. The episode sheds light on the challenges faced when the International Criminal Court's involvement was undermined by militia power, highlighting the ongoing need for authentic reconciliation efforts in Libya.
Listeners will find valuable lessons in Anna’s reflections, particularly the significance of empathy and humility in international peace efforts. Her insights remind us that understanding the lived experiences of those we work with is paramount, as these issues are often matters of life and death.
This episode is a compelling exploration of the complexities of post-conflict nation-building and the human connections that underpin successful peace processes.
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This episode of Lawyering Peace, features Chief Prosecutor for the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone (Special Court), David Crane. Crane is renowned for indicting Charles Taylor, the former President of Liberia, marking the first time a sitting head of state was held accountable for atrocity crimes. Given this milestone, the Special Court has been used as a blueprint for subsequent international criminal tribunals.
The episode delves into the effectiveness of the Special Court in establishing durable peace and explores the conflict in Sierra Leone that led to its creation. It also examines the blanket amnesty provided in the peace agreement that ended the conflict and the impact of the Truth Commission that was conducted prior to the court's mandate.
David Crane shares some of the unique challenges and unexpected obstacles he faced as Chief Prosecutor, providing a vivid account of his experiences.
Notably, David’s story exemplifies how “the rule of law is more powerful than the rule of the gun”.
Tune in to gain insight on navigating the politics of justice.
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Ambassador Stephen Rapp, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, joins Dr. Paul R. Williams in this compelling episode of Lawyering Peace, to delve into the crucial role of global criminal justice in shaping durable peace.
In this episode, Ambassador Rapp shares insights into accountability related to the Arab Spring, the Sierra Leone conflict, and the Rwandan Genocide, and emphasizes the importance of holding perpetrators of international crimes accountable. Drawing parallels to historical events, he discusses the delicate balance between granting amnesty for political crimes and ensuring accountability for atrocities. Ambassador Rapp tells us: durable peace is unattainable without justice.
Ambassador Rapp also explores the overarching importance of pursuing truth after an armed conflict, and the episode provides a candid analysis of current conflicts, including those in Ukraine and Syria, and the implications of prosecuting high-level officials like President Putin.
Reflecting on the progress made towards accountability in the 2010s, Ambassador Rapp highlights the evolving landscape of international justice in an era of social media and civil society activism. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic, asserting that the need for accountability cannot be ignored.
Tune in for a deeper understanding of the intersection between justice and peace, and the essential role of international criminal justice in securing a just and lasting peace.
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In this episode, Dr. Williams speaks with Kate Gibson, an experienced lawyer who has represented former heads of state, military leaders, and victims of international crimes before international criminal courts and tribunals since 2005. Kate discusses how these tribunals can sometimes hinder peace, especially in cases of victor’s justice and when the process is too disconnected from the affected communities. She also addresses the growing skepticism about the International Criminal Court’s ability to contribute to peace and provide victim catharsis. Tune in to hear Kate challenge the popular belief that we are in an ‘Era of Accountability’.
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In this episode, Dr. Paul R. Williams speaks with Michael Scharf, a drafter of the Statute that created the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Initially intended by the international legal community as a symbolic gesture, the tribunal became a powerful instrument of justice under a prosecutor whose unwavering commitment to justice over political convenience challenged the status quo of international practices. We explore how this commitment to justice impacted the Balkans peace processes, the role of international tribunals in balancing peace and accountability, and the legacy of the ICTY in shaping future tribunals and the International Criminal Court. Tune in for insights into how justice challenges peace negotiators today.
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In this unique episode, we speak with Ambassador Zorica Maric Djordjevic, to explore the subtleties of diplomacy and Montenegro's extraordinary journey in international relations. The discussion unveils Montenegro as an understated success story in U.S. foreign policy, spotlighting Ambassador Djordjevic’s instrumental role in enhancing ties with the U.S., the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization from 1989 to 2020.
Ambassador Djordjevic brings her unique perspectives from her time guiding Montenegro out of conflict and into statehood, emphasizing the importance of applying a gendered lens to negotiations.
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In this episode of "Lawyering Peace," we delve into the intricate dynamics of peace negotiation delegations, with a special focus on the critical roles played by women leaders in the Syrian opposition delegation. Our guest, Betsy Popken, brings insights from her tenure as the chief legal advisor during the Geneva peace talks (2015 - 2017). Peek into the rigorous training and strategic planning that goes into preparing a delegation for high-stakes negotiations, and learn how roles and responsibilities are assigned to harness the strengths of diverse team members, particularly the leading women. This discussion offers a unique glimpse into the challenging yet fascinating process of negotiating peace, and the vital aspects of training and leading a negotiation team effectively.
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In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, we delve into Guatemala's journey toward peace through the lens of the 1996 Peace Accords process, which concluded 36 years of internal conflict. Ambassador Donald Planty, the United States Ambassador to Guatemala during the peace process, shares his firsthand experiences from engaging in the process, emphasizing the crucial role of international cooperation, especially the strategic support of the "Friends of the Peace Process" in this context. This episode also unpacks the essential skills for successful diplomacy, such as relationship building, effective listening, and understanding diverse perspectives. Ambassador Planty illustrates how capitalizing on these skills and relying on informal confidence building measures with the parties, propelled the negotiations forward. Tune in to learn about the dynamic challenges facing an ambassador engaged in high-stakes negotiations and the practical negotiation skills that can lead to successful outcomes.
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Robert Perito is an expert in security sector reform and governance and has been involved in post-conflict processes in regions and states across the globe, including Angola, Haiti, Liberia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. This episode explores Bob’s career as a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. Department of State, during which time Bob chaired the US delegation to the Angolan peace talks that ended in the signing of the Bicesse Accords. This episode provides deep insights into the role played by third parity delegations in peace talks and the challenges that come with seeking peaceful solutions to entrenched conflicts.
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Matt Simpson has been engaged in several peace and post-conflict processes around the world, and is now Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice at Mintz. This episode delves into Matt’s role as the Principal Legal Advisor to the Darfur Delegation in the Doha Round of Peace Negotiations, which aimed to resolve the Darfur conflict. In this position, Matt led a team of over two dozen international legal and policy advisors, and was charged with advising on the full range of issues that presented themselves during the negotiations, including power sharing, security arrangements, demilitarization, wealth allocation from natural resources, and the return of displaced persons. In this interview, Matt discusses the challenges and intricacies of his role, providing insights into the reality of peace negotiations as well as lessons learned for other contexts.
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Dr. Patrick Maluki is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and Kenya’s top expert in peace and diplomacy. Dr. Maluki has extensive experience in the peace and conflict mediation arena. He holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya and is an expert trainer and researcher in international negotiation, mediation, human rights, governance, and peace building issues. This episode focuses on Dr. Maluki’s in-depth knowledge of the causes of conflict, conflict prevention, and conflict mitigation.
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Yoonie Kim is a former PILPG-er, and is currently a Senior Political Affairs Officer and the Gulf Team Leader at the United Nations. This episode explores Yoonie’s time serving as Senior Advisor and Special Assistant to the UN Special Envoy Jamal Benomar on the Yemen peace process, examining the ways in which mediation teams operate when supporting challenging and complex negotiations, and the importance of collaboration between the various actors involved in peace negotiations when pursuing durable peace.
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