ATLAS

"Armed Conflicts, Peacekeeping, Transitional Justice: Law as Solution"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The cooperative project ATLAS responds to this call by examining the role and impact of the rule of law and international humanitarian law applicable during armed conflict with regard to effectively promoting and protecting human rights. From a prospective standpoint, normative weaknesses and gaps must first be pinpointed. The operational dichotomy between proclaiming a right and assuring its effective respect must lead to proposing rules designed specifically to assure greater effectiveness of the existing legal framework by taking into account the concrete realities of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Due to the non traditional configuration of contemporary conflicts and the diversification of the actors implicated therein, violations of international human rights and humanitarian law have taken on new forms. Either the existing legal framework must be strengthened, or new legal responses must be developed. The overall objective of this study is to determine how the EU may contribute to promoting human rights and international humanitarian law both during and after armed conflicts. In this context, ATLAS will compare existing international legal rules with the practice of both Member states and third states in order to support decision-making by decision-makers. The Member states that have been chosen (France, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom) represent both the Roman-Germanic and common law legal traditions and the diversity of national practices among Member states. The third states/region that have been selected are Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia and Kosovo), Haiti and Sierra Leone. These areas were chosen according to two principles: their experience with peace operations and the existence of national reconciliation procedures. Peace operations are or were undertaken under either UN or regional auspices, either independently or in a complementary manner. National reconciliation is brought about in different ways,'

Introduzione (Teaser)

A new drive to strengthen human rights practices and laws will help the EU improve conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire and process war crimes in a more equitable manner.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Strengthening international humanitarian law can help protect human rights during armed conflicts and minimise the injustices of war. The EU-funded project 'Armed conflicts, peacekeeping, transitional justice: Law as solution' (ATLAS) examined the role and impact of the rule of law and international humanitarian law to achieve this aim.

With regional and civil wars raging in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, human rights violations and contraventions to humanitarian law have taken on new forms. In this light, the project examined weaknesses and gaps in the law to propose rules that assure greater effectiveness of the existing legal framework. It studied violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during and after armed conflicts, comparing EU practices with those of other countries in order to support decision making by policymakers.

The project looked at cases in Bosnia, Cambodia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone, examining their experience with peace operations and national reconciliation procedures. It organised a symposium and outlined recommendations to further the topic, analysing how best to integrate human rights and laws into EU peacekeeping missions.

In addition, ATLAS compiled best practices on legal and institutional frameworks and measures that ensure respect for human rights and humanitarian law, and developed a code of conduct for civil and military peacekeeping personnel. The overall key project achievements are legal norms to protect civilian populations in the event of armed conflict and the integration of a human rights component in peace operations.

The work undertaken during this project has already begun having a positive impact on general EU external policy for promoting human rights. A comprehensive final report on the results and outcomes of ATLAS has been uploaded to the project's website and will enlighten all stakeholders regarding this pivotal issue. Most importantly, progress in this field is set to minimise distress for citizens caught in war zones, strengthen peacekeeping operations and promote the fair treatment of war prisoners.