Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

• Author: Bertrand G. Ramcharan
• Pages: 32-43

Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

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Human Rights and Conflict Resolution

B E R T R A N D G. R A M C H A R A N1

Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights and

Under Secretary-General, United Nations

Introduction

One reads more and more these days that

democracies rarely go to war against one

another. One might conclude from this that

societies that have democratic governments,

under the rule of law, and which respect the

human rights and fundamental freedoms of

their people, are more likely to contribute to

world peace than despotic countries with

‘maximum leaders’. Nevertheless, even within

democratic countries, there might be internal

conflicts because of a failure to address

grievances, or perceived grievances, felt by

regions or one or more of the constituent

peoples.

If a country, even a democratic country, is

to avoid conflicts, it is important to foster a

national vision that embraces all parts of the

population and which gives all constituent

peoples a stake in the future of the country. It

is important to monitor the allocation of

resources among different regions and groups

so as to foster equitable development for all

population groups. It is important to establish

and operate mechanisms and arrangements

to detect potential problems and to head off

those problems. The promotion and protection

of human rights is thus fundamental to the

prevention of conflicts even within prosperous,

democratic countries.

When it comes to the newly independent

countries that have gone through the colonial

experience and that are trying to foster nation-

building, the role of human rights in conflict

prevention and conflict resolution is even more

important. As is well known, many former

colonies in Africa and Asia and countries of

the Commonwealth were launched forth into

independence with constituent peoples

coming from different ethnic groups or

historical backgrounds. Patrice Chabal, writing

about Africa, noted that countries of the

continent underwent the shocks of conquest

and colonization; the turbulence of

independence struggles; the challenges of

nation building after independence; and the

convulsions produced, in many instances, by

despotic governments.2 It is inconceivable that

one could foster nation building in such

countries without designing, defining and

operating the concept of a nation in human

rights terms. The national vision, schemes of

coexistence, the rule of law and the arbitration

of disputes must all be framed by international

human rights norms. Unless this happens, the

country is bound to head for disaster.

If one examines some of the multi-ethnic

countries that have managed to foster nation

building and to thrive economically and

socially, one would find careful schemes of

co-existence and respect for the culture of its

constituent peoples. Singapore and Malaysia

are such examples. Where countries have

disregarded this fundamental human rights

dimension, they have run into trouble almost

without exception. The former Yugoslavia is a

case in point. Made up of different ethnic