To establish a sustainable peace process in post-conflict and crisis states, establishing Rule of Law is essential. Rule of Law has an integral part to play in promoting security, economic development and for the protection of human rights.
The principles constituting Rule of Law are reflected in central agreements on human rights, jurisprudence from regional and international courts, as well as national law. The UN defines Rule of Law as:
"…a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. It requires, as well, measures to ensure adherence to the principles of supremacy of law, equality before the law, accountability to the law, fairness in the application of the law, separation of powers, participation in decision-making, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness and procedural and legal transparency."
Working to promote Rule of Law in peace and state building processes pose a challenge to national and international actors. The Folke Bernadotte Academy’s Rule of Law Programme strives to support international and national policymakers, decision makers and practitioners through research, analytical tools, policy development and training that address current and future challenges to Rule of Law reform in post-conflict and crisis states.
News
The FBA and the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) are co-organizing a workshop entitled "Fit for the Future- Measuring Impact and Enhancing the Effectiveness of United Nations Rule of Law Assistance in Peace Operations". The workshop is part of DPKO:s (UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations) annual Heads of Justice and Corrections Components Meeting which will be held in Berlin on 14 May 2013. The participants will discuss challenges and means of assessing the impact and effectiveness of rule of law activities in UN field missions. A summary of the workshop will be published shortly.
On 29 April 2013, the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), in co-operation with the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), held a seminar entitled 'Rule of Law in Libya and Tunisia'. The invited experts discussed some of the main challenges, opportunities and priorities for developing the rule of law in Libya and Tunisia. Please watch the seminar here.
On 18 and 19 April 2013, the FBA hosted, in co-operation with the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, the annual Rule of Law Research Group workshop entitled 'Addicted to Law'. The workshop was attended by 18 researchers from various universities, think-tanks and institutes in Europe, Australia and the United States of America. Please read the summary of the workshop here.
On 10 September 2012 Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), in collaboration with the IHL Watch Working Group, hosted a seminar entitled ‘The Promotion of Compliance with International Humanitarian Law – the IHL Watch Initiative’. The seminar looked at challenges in terms of IHL compliance and respect, options for improving compliance and respect and the feasibility of establishing an IHL watchdog. Read the Seminar Report >