Rule of Law (ROL) in UN Peace Operations (Upcoming)
The development of the ROL in post-conflict countries constitutes one of the main challenges to UN field operations. The idea is to critically examine key aspects of the ROL issue and explore the building blocks of what constitutes a sustainable Rule of Law component in UN Peace Operations, as well as analyze and assess the key challenges that such an endeavor will have to address.
Rule of Law Workshop (Upcoming)
Migration and Security
CIHR, in collaboration with the Center for Security Studies of the Hellenic Ministry of Citizen Protection, is planning a research workshop that will focus on key political, economic and security developments influenced by migratory flows. The key themes to be addressed include the causes and consequences of migratory flows, the prospects for effective cross-border cooperation, the strengths and weaknesses of the relevant international, regional and domestic legal frameworks, and the challenges confronting the development of human rights-sensitive policies and practices on migration.
Outsourcing Security: Private Military & Security Companies and the Quest for Accountability
CIHR and the Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, are organizing a workshop to discuss the implications over the last past 25 years on private military and security companies and how they have increased their share of the defense budget. These contractors provide basic logistics, feed and supply enlisted men and women, develop and direct sophisticated weapons systems, administer detention facilities and conduct interrogations, and provide personal security for the staff of intergovernmental as well as non-governmental organizations. If the privatization of security functions is here to stay (and this clearly seems to be the case), then the key tasks at hand are: (1) to understand the origins, causes and multiple manifestations of such outsourcing; and (2) to devise an effective regulatory framework that would be consistent with the exigencies of democratic control and would adhere to fundamental human rights and humanitarian law rules and standards.
Ethics of Intervention/Protection: Contending Approaches Purpose and Issues
CIHR and the Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, are organizing a workshop to discuss the ethical dimensions of humanitarian intervention and of its latest variation, the responsibility to protect (R2P). For that purpose the workshop will cover the following three topics: (1) Humanitarian Intervention (HI) and Responsibility to Protect (R2P), (2) The Interplay between the Global and the Local in Intervention/ Protection, and (3) Accountability for Intervention/Protection-Related Activities Original contributions will be published in Criminal Justice Ethics (CJE). CJE is a semi-annual journal designed to focus greater attention on ethical issues in criminal justice (broadly defined) by philosophers, criminal justice professionals, lawyers and judges, and the general public. The Journal is published by Routledge.
Workshop on the Ethics of Intervention/Protection: Contending Approaches (January 21-22, 2010) The Center for International Human Rights and the Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York are organizing a workshop on “The Ethics of Intervention/Protection: Contending Approaches,” which will take place at John Jay College on January 21 and 22, 2010. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss the ethical dimensions of humanitarian intervention and of its latest variation, the responsibility to protect (R2P). For that purpose the workshop will cover the following three topics: (1) Humanitarian Intervention (HI) and Responsibility to Protect (R2P), (2) The Interplay between the Global and the Local in Intervention/ Protection, and (3) Accountability for Intervention/Protection-Related Activities Original contributions will be published in Criminal Justice Ethics (CJE). CJE is a semi-annual journal designed to focus greater attention on ethical issues in criminal justice (broadly defined) by philosophers, criminal justice professionals, lawyers and judges, and the general public. The Journal is published by Routledge.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
SESSION 1, Humanitarian Intervention and the Responsibility to Protect
Paper Presenters:
Prof. FRANCIS KOFI ABIEW, Department of Political Science, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Canada.
Dr. DOROTA GIERYCZ, Consultant, Ludwig Boltzman Institute of Human Rights, University of Vienna, Austria.
Discussant:
Prof. CATHERINE LU, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, McGill University, Canada.
SESSION 2, The Interplay between the Global and the Local in Intervention/Protection
Paper Presenters:
Dr. MIREILLE AFFA’A MINDZIE, Senior Project Officer, Centre for Conflict Resolution, South Africa.
Prof. GEORGE ANDREOPOULOS, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.
Discussant:
Ms. KAREN KONING ABUZAYD, Commissioner-General (until 12/31/09), UNRWA, Headquarters Gaza, Gamal Abdul Nasser Street, Gaza City.
SESSION 3, Accountability for Intervention/Protection-related Activities
Paper Presenters:
Dr. MARTIN L. COOK, Admiral James Bond Stockdale Professor of Professional Military Ethics, College of Operational and Strategic Leadership, Newport, RI.
Dr. KWESI ANING, Head, The Conflict Prevention and Resolution Department, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, Ghana.
Discussant:
Mr. FABIEN DUBUET,United Nations Liaison Officer, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders, New York.
Research Study on Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations
United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1820 first linked sexual violence in conflict to international peace and security in 2008 though the connection of women to peace and security first appeared on the agenda in UNSCR 1325 in 2000. CIHR's research study on sexual violence in conflict situations seeks to examine the challenges with implementing UNSCR 1820, both by the UNSC and by the NGO community.
The following report has been prepared in order to address the role of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1820 of 19 June 2008 on Sexual Violence in Conflict (SVC). UNSCR 1820 has emphasized the link between sexual violence in conflict and the maintenance of international peace and security — primary objective of the UNSC. Although the linking of women to the international peace and security agenda first appeared in UNSCR 1325 of 31 October 2000, UNSCR 1820 goes further. It is the first UNSCR to recognize sexual violence in conflict as a self-standing international security issue; moreover, it constitutes an attempt to take implementation seriously since it "requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Council by 30 June 2009 on the implementation of this resolution in the context of situations which are on the agenda of the Council" (UNSCR 1820 (2008): Operative paragraph 15).
The second study focuses on plausible collective strategies for the more effective implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1820, and of related resolutions dealing with sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings. It is based on the deliberations of a strategy session that took place during the week of September 21-25 2009 among members of the Women Peace Builders' Community of Practice, as well as other NGOs and stakeholders under the auspices of the International Women's Tribune Center.
Policing Across Borders: The Role of Law Enforcement in Global Governance
CIHRs will explore key challenges confronting law enforcement in dealing with transnational threats, in particular terrorism and transnational organized crime (TOC) thanks to a significant grant recently awarded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. The program will involve law enforcement officers from Greece, Turkey and other Balkan countries, as well as academics and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Through this grant, John Jay College of Criminal Justice will examine key challenges confronting the law enforcement community in dealing with three key transnational threats: terrorism; drug-trafficking; and human trafficking/ migrant smuggling. The grant will fund a series of workshops that will not only provide insights into these ongoing challenges but also contribute to the strengthening of regional security networks capable of dealing with problems posed by terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Policing Across Borders Workshops
The Center for International Human Rights, as part of its “Policing Across Borders: the Role of Law Enforcement in Global Governance” Project, has organized four international workshops involving law enforcement officers from Greece, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, as well as academics and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The Project is funded by a generous grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
The first two workshops will examine existing legislative and institutional initiatives in these issue areas, assess their strengths and weaknesses and explore the prospects for more effective regional collaboration. The third workshop will build on the findings of the two workshops and examine the ways in which recent initiatives focusing on policy advocacy, revision of legislation, capacity building and the development of operational networks for action at the national and regional levels can strengthen the overall contribution of law enforcement to governance. The findings of these workshops will result in a scholarly publication and in the preparation of a manual on best practices to ensure effective transnational police cooperation and strengthen regional police networks. Law enforcement from Greece, Turkey and other Balkan countries, as well as academics and representatives of both intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations will participate in these workshops. These workshops will be organized by the Center for International Human Rights and held at John Jay College in cooperation with the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.) at the Greek Ministry of Public Order. Professor George Andreopoulos, Director of the Center for International Human Rights at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, will direct this project. Building on the momentum generated by these workshops, the grant will also support development of a masters level scholarship program for Greek law enforcement officers, to be selected by the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.) at the Greek Ministry of Public Order. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (www.SNFoundation.org), an international philanthropic organization, supports charitable activities in four primary areas: arts and culture, education, health and medicine, and social welfare. The Foundation, governed by its Board of Directors, makes grants to not-for-profit organizations throughout the world. In addition, the Foundation maintains a major commitment to supporting programs in Greece through the guidance of a locally based advisory committee.
Workshop 4: Strengthening Cooperation in the Fight Against Transnational Crime: A Theoretical Conclusion? (November 13-14, 2009) John Jay College of Criminal Justice - Room 630 - Haaren Hall - 899 Tenth Avenue - New York, NY 10019 Flyer- Includes program, topics and participants.
Workshop 3: Strengthening the Cooperation in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking: Legislation, Institutions and Proposals (December 12-13, 2008) John Jay College of Criminal Justice - 899 Tenth Avenue - New York, NY 10019 John Jay College of Criminal Justice - 899 Tenth Avenue - New York, NY 10019
Workshop 2: Strengthening Cooperation i the Fight Against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling: Legislation, Institutions, and Proposals (May 2-3, 2008) John Jay College of Criminal Justice - 899 Tenth Avenue - New York, NY 10019
Workshop 1: Strengthening Cooperation in the Fight Against Terrorism: Legislation, Institutions and Proposals (December 13-14, 2007) The first workshop was co-sponsored by the Center for Security Studies (KE.ME.A.) and the Center and the Institute for Central-Eastern Europe and the Balkans of the University of Bologna of the University of Bologna. The goal of the workshop was to explore key challenges confronting law enforcement in dealing with the transnational threat of terrorism while upholding international standards. For that purpose, the participants presented papers and engaged in a stimulating series of exchanges in the following issue areas: the nature of the terrorist threat, the international/regional legal framework and institutions, cooperation, rule of law and human rights issues, and best practices. In addition, the participants were addressed by H.E. Mike Smith, the Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate of the United Nations, who delivered a keynote address entitled “The Role of the United Nations in Counter-Terrorism,” and by Roland Tricot, Principal Lawyer, Delegation of the European Union Commission to the UN, who spoke on the “Cooperation Strategies to Combat Terrorist Activities while Adhering to International Standards.”
Transitional Justice Project
The Center is planning a three-year seminar to analyze key focal issues and questions pertaining to transitional justice. The aim of the seminar is to bring together scholars, policy makers, practitioners, and students in order to analyze and assess the effectiveness of transitional justice mechanisms established to deal with crimes committed by previous regimes. Each semester, four experts will present their preliminary research. The papers of the presenters will be distributed in advance to all seminar participants, so as to ensure high quality in-depth discussion of all the pertinent issues raised in each presentation. In addition, each presentation will be followed by a brief commentary as a way of introducing the relevant focal issues and questions for discussion. It is important to stress that our seminar will place particular emphasis on attracting qualified voices from the global south which can offer insights and share their experiences in coping with the challenges of transition. The best papers and commentaries will be selected to become part of an edited volume, which will constitute the starting point for a future research project focusing on one or two of the main sub-themes of the seminar.
