Rule of Law

To establish of a sustainable peace process in post-conflict and crisis states, establishing the rule of law is essential. The rule of law has an integral part to play in promoting security, economic development and for the protection of human rights.

The principles constituting the 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 the 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 the 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.

A Handbook on Assisting International Criminal Investigations

A Handbook on Assisting International Criminal Investigations provides people who are not lawyers or investigators with the basic knowledge needed to correctly identify, gather and forward information on possible international crimes to international criminal courts and tribunals, and to understand what is expected of witnesses testifying in international criminal trials.

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A map of United Nations Rule of Law Assistance: Peace Operations in Africa 1989-2010

By systematically examining UN practices on rule of law in peace operations, the Folke Bernadotte Academy has created a “United Nations rule of law map”. The mapping spans 1989-2010, covering all United Nations peace operations in Africa.

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