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Key Text Minority Rights: The Key to Conflict Prevention

Author: C Baldwin, C Chapman, Z Gray
Date: 2007
Size: 44 pages (435 KB)

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Summary

Minority issues lie at the heart of many of the world’s conflicts. Yet minority rights are often marginalised in peace processes and conflict prevention programmes. This study, by the Minority Rights Group, looks at Chechnya, Darfur, Kashmir, Kosovo and Sri Lanka. Understanding the warning signs provided by minority rights violations could prevent conflicts. Groups should not be separated along ethnic, religious or linguistic lines as a way of creating peace, as such divisions can entrench old hatreds and wounds in the long term.

Minority rights fall into four main categories. The right to existence, the right to identity, the right not to be discriminated against and the right to political and economic participation. The protection of minority rights began with the aim of preventing conflicts. These rights were not designed to separate people, nor are they meant to support secessionist movements, as some governments fear. They aim to protect groups who lack power and individuals within those groups such as women. When minority rights are enshrined in constitutions and implemented through electoral, justice and education systems before a conflict has the chance to fester, there is a chance that conflict might not occur at all.

Each of these systems can either promote peace or deepen minorities’ sense of alienation from mainstream society:

Justice systems can offer minorities the chance to see violators of their rights brought to account and punished, whether the crime was violent or discriminatory. Such justice is particularly important after mass crimes against a group of people.
Education systems can combat or condone hate speech, and can erode or support minority languages. They can build understanding between minority and majority cultures and religions that can create firm foundations for tolerant societies.
Conflict early warning systems are more effective when they take note of minority rights violations. Incorporating and analysing patterns of discrimination and exclusion are vital in tracking the rise of tension.

Currently, such systems either do not have minority rights at their centre or are inconsistently applied. A more coherent and coordinated system that draws together national and regional expertise and highlights this at the international level is imperative in preventing conflict.

Minority experts should exist in key UN bodies that deal with conflict, including the Office for Co-Ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Peace Building Commission and the country missions.
Segregation, or the creation of ethnically or religiously ‘pure’ countries or regions, must not be the only post-conflict solution if sustainable peace is the genuine aim.
A greater commitment to understanding and implementing minority rights at local, national, regional and international levels, with the full inclusion and participation of minority groups, is imperative to conflict prevention.
Where conflict has occurred, such knowledge and participation is critical in peace building, not least so that minorities who are caught up in violence have their voices heard.

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Source: Baldwin, C., Chapman, C. and Gray, Z., 2007, 'Minority Rights: The Key to Conflict Prevention', Minority Rights Group International (MRG), Minority Rights Report, UK
Organisation: Minority Rights Group International, http://www.minorityrights.org/