Humanitarian CeasefiresHumanitarian Ceasefires

In humanitarian ceasefires a superordinate goal, In humanitarian ceasefires a superordinate goal, often the need to immunize children, brings often the need to immunize children, brings warring parties to an agreement to suspend warring parties to an agreement to suspend

fighting for a time period to allow health fighting for a time period to allow health workers access to children or civilians on all workers access to children or civilians on all

sides of the conflict or space to allow for sides of the conflict or space to allow for resources and supplies to be safely resources and supplies to be safely

distributed.distributed.Two main functions: Two main functions: 1.1. meet human needs through the delivery of meet human needs through the delivery of

adequate supplies of required aidadequate supplies of required aid2.2. part of a larger process of peacebuilding: part of a larger process of peacebuilding:

when it is appropriate, the opportunities that when it is appropriate, the opportunities that present themselves for conflict resolution present themselves for conflict resolution should be utilized. should be utilized.

Humanitarian Ceasefires

Humanitarian Aid TermsHumanitarian Aid Terms

Days of Tranquillity:Days of Tranquillity: truces negotiated truces negotiated to allow the provision of health and to allow the provision of health and humanitarian assistance as well as allow humanitarian assistance as well as allow for other activities not possible during for other activities not possible during hostilities. hostilities.

Corridors of Peace:Corridors of Peace: transit routes transit routes designated for safe passage for non-designated for safe passage for non-combatants and humanitarian supplies. combatants and humanitarian supplies.

Safe Havens:Safe Havens: term used in the Balkans term used in the Balkans conflict to identify villages that were only conflict to identify villages that were only for civilian inhabitants and not to be for civilian inhabitants and not to be attacked.attacked.

Sanctuaries of Peace:Sanctuaries of Peace: health/medical institutions, health/medical institutions, e.g. hospitals and clinics, not to be affected by war.e.g. hospitals and clinics, not to be affected by war.

Children as ‘Zones of Peace’ or as a ‘Conflict-Children as ‘Zones of Peace’ or as a ‘Conflict-free Zone’:free Zone’: ‘Children need special protection in ‘Children need special protection in situations of armed conflict’ Nils Thedin of Sweden situations of armed conflict’ Nils Thedin of Sweden formulated the concept in 1983 in a proposal to formulated the concept in 1983 in a proposal to UNICEF.UNICEF.

Health as a Bridge for Peace:Health as a Bridge for Peace: term coined in the term coined in the '80s by the Pan American Health Organisation. It is '80s by the Pan American Health Organisation. It is a multidimensional and dynamic concept, based on a multidimensional and dynamic concept, based on the integration of peace-building concerns and the integration of peace-building concerns and strategies into health relief and health sector strategies into health relief and health sector development in post-conflict transitions. As a development in post-conflict transitions. As a programme, it was adopted by WHO in August 1997 programme, it was adopted by WHO in August 1997 in countries like Mozambique, Croatia, Bosnia, Sri in countries like Mozambique, Croatia, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, and Angola.Lanka, and Angola.

The necessary components of a The necessary components of a humanitarian ceasefire:humanitarian ceasefire:

Common groundCommon ground Impartiality and transparencyImpartiality and transparency Understanding and respect for indigenous Understanding and respect for indigenous

culturescultures Trust and communicationTrust and communication Intermediaries Intermediaries International pressureInternational pressure Legal frameworkLegal framework ParticipationParticipation Education and CommunicationEducation and Communication Standards and MonitoringStandards and Monitoring

El SavadorEl Savador

El SalvadorEl Salvador

Country split by FMLN and Country split by FMLN and governmentgovernment

Population suffered from Population suffered from poverty, unemployment, poverty, unemployment, violenceviolence

Archbishop Romero Archbishop Romero assassinated in 1980assassinated in 1980

Civil war broke out in 1981Civil war broke out in 1981 http://newsinfo.nd.edu/assets/Romero.JPG

Government Vs. FMLNGovernment Vs. FMLN FMLN engaged in FMLN engaged in

destroying resources destroying resources and bridges, and bridges, kidnappings, kidnappings, assassinationsassassinations

Government and Government and death squads death squads massacred villages massacred villages and killed numerous and killed numerous peoplepeople

www.socialistworker.co.uk

http://students.westport.k12.ct.us/elsalvador/el%20salvador2.jpg

http://www.heatherk.com/images/Feb01/El%20Salvador/ExGasStation.jpg

Effects of ViolenceEffects of Violence

Thousands of Thousands of people killedpeople killed

Polio, measles, Polio, measles, tetanus, tetanus, diphtheria, diphtheria, whooping cough whooping cough are common are common among childrenamong children

www.contactpressimages.com/portfolios/rebbot/main_pix/rebbot_port6i.jpg

http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromuscular/pics/people/patients/Hands/oldpoliolegs.jpg

Immunization ProgramImmunization Program

Idea for a ceasefire Idea for a ceasefire arose during talks arose during talks between James Grant, between James Grant, Executive Director of Executive Director of UNICEF, and Jose UNICEF, and Jose Napoleon Duarte, the Napoleon Duarte, the President of El President of El SalvadorSalvador

20 000 children were 20 000 children were dying due to dying due to preventable diseasespreventable diseases

www.nhlcyberfamily.org

NegotiationsNegotiations

UNICEF stipulated UNICEF stipulated that all the children that all the children of El Salvador must of El Salvador must be immunizedbe immunized

President Duarte President Duarte opposed entering opposed entering dangerous guerilla-dangerous guerilla-controlled territorycontrolled territory

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/world/2000/un_summit/peacekeeping/el_salvador.stm

The Church and the FMLNThe Church and the FMLN

President Duarte and the Minister of President Duarte and the Minister of Health communicated with the FMLN Health communicated with the FMLN through proxy using the churchthrough proxy using the church

Archbishop Arturo Y Rivera, Monsignor Archbishop Arturo Y Rivera, Monsignor Rivera Y Damas and Monsignor Rosa Rivera Y Damas and Monsignor Rosa Chavez approached the FMLNChavez approached the FMLN

FMLN’s response: “We cannot in any way FMLN’s response: “We cannot in any way be in disagreement. The vaccination is of be in disagreement. The vaccination is of great importance for our people.” great importance for our people.”

After the CeasefireAfter the Ceasefire

Three days of tranquility practiced Three days of tranquility practiced every year since 1985every year since 1985

Estimated 75 000 people died during Estimated 75 000 people died during warwar

Peace Accords signed in 1992 by Peace Accords signed in 1992 by both groupsboth groups

FMLN allowed to participate in FMLN allowed to participate in electionselections

PhilippinesPhilippines

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Ruled by Spain and forced into labour for Ruled by Spain and forced into labour for

300 years300 years Filipinos gained independency in 1946 but Filipinos gained independency in 1946 but

was ruled by a corrupt dictator, was ruled by a corrupt dictator, Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Marcos

Two parties led the uprising against Two parties led the uprising against Marcos:Marcos:• Moro National Liberation FrontMoro National Liberation Front– Muslim – Muslim

group based on the southern island of group based on the southern island of Mindanao Mindanao

• New Peoples Army (New Peoples Army (NPANPA) – communist party ) – communist party

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Civil war spread Civil war spread

leading to armed leading to armed forces. forces.

NPA betrayed the trust NPA betrayed the trust of their supporters and of their supporters and killed those who they killed those who they suspect as traitors. suspect as traitors.

Fighting continued for Fighting continued for many years.many years.

Short-lived Short-lived humanitarian humanitarian ceasefire after a major ceasefire after a major earthquake. earthquake.

Zone of PeaceZone of Peace

Villagers became tired of Villagers became tired of harassments from the national army harassments from the national army and NPA. and NPA.

Zone of peaceZone of peace (aka (aka ‘zone of life‘zone of life’ in ’ in other areas) bans military activities in other areas) bans military activities in designated zones.designated zones.

Six such peace zones declared in the Six such peace zones declared in the rural areas over the past three rural areas over the past three decades decades

Problems with Zones of PeaceProblems with Zones of Peace

Although these communities are Although these communities are weapons free, they still have many weapons free, they still have many problemsproblems

Susceptible to sabotage or failure and Susceptible to sabotage or failure and are difficult to initiate and maintain. are difficult to initiate and maintain. • The army encouraged spies in villages The army encouraged spies in villages

and impressed young boys into the and impressed young boys into the militarymilitary

• NPA reluctant to demilitarize in these NPA reluctant to demilitarize in these zones zones

Building a Peace PlanBuilding a Peace Plan

News of these ceasefires spread News of these ceasefires spread throughout the country.throughout the country.• Involved the Involved the churcheschurches, local , local non-non-

government aidgovernment aid organizations, and the organizations, and the peoplepeople. .

They formed the They formed the Coalition for Coalition for PeacePeace • provided provided support servicessupport services for for

communities, advocacy for help and communities, advocacy for help and psychological therapy for childrenpsychological therapy for children

Building a Peace PlanBuilding a Peace Plan

Multi-sectoral Peace AdvocatesMulti-sectoral Peace Advocates appearedappeared• They addressed the issues and negotiate on They addressed the issues and negotiate on

the national level with both sides. the national level with both sides. National Peace Conference held in 1990National Peace Conference held in 1990 In 1991, a In 1991, a framework for peace framework for peace

processprocess was formed was formed• Addressed social justice, rights of indigenous Addressed social justice, rights of indigenous

peoples, ecological problems, cultural and peoples, ecological problems, cultural and social reforms, and moral transformation. social reforms, and moral transformation.

When When Fidel RamosFidel Ramos came into power in 1992, came into power in 1992, he sought to end the 24 year war with the NPA. he sought to end the 24 year war with the NPA. • Set up a meetings with between government Set up a meetings with between government

officials and communist leaders. officials and communist leaders. Meeting provided a blueprint covering:Meeting provided a blueprint covering:

• Human rights Human rights • Social, economical, and political reforms. Social, economical, and political reforms.

Afghanistan Case Study #1Afghanistan Case Study #1

Cease fires during the Olympics- Cease fires during the Olympics- a dream or a reality?a dream or a reality?

During the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, UNICEF, with During the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games, UNICEF, with help of the “Olympic Aid Atlanta” program, brokered a help of the “Olympic Aid Atlanta” program, brokered a truce between warring parties in Afghanistan, mainly to truce between warring parties in Afghanistan, mainly to allow the immunization of women and children, but also allow the immunization of women and children, but also to provide psychosocial counseling, basic education and to provide psychosocial counseling, basic education and

recreational programs.recreational programs.

= 6 days of peace in Afghanistan & 3 million children immunized

Then what happened?Then what happened?

This fostered an environment in Afghanistan This fostered an environment in Afghanistan which inspired 6 Days of Tranquility. which inspired 6 Days of Tranquility.

Unfortunately, the truce only lasted 6 days. Unfortunately, the truce only lasted 6 days. On Wednesday, July 24th, a rocket attack on On Wednesday, July 24th, a rocket attack on Kabul ended the truce. Kabul ended the truce.

= No more cease fire

Did this stop immunizations?Did this stop immunizations?

This did NOT stop 15,000 immunization workers This did NOT stop 15,000 immunization workers from spreading through the country by any means from spreading through the country by any means possible including travel by donkey into possible including travel by donkey into mountainous regions of Aftghanistan to immunize mountainous regions of Aftghanistan to immunize children.children.

Only 3 million out of 5 million Afghani children Only 3 million out of 5 million Afghani children were vaccinated for Polio. This initiative was were vaccinated for Polio. This initiative was simultaneously occurring in a total of 14 war torn simultaneously occurring in a total of 14 war torn countries during the 1996 Olympic games.countries during the 1996 Olympic games.

= Means to carry on with immunizations

This brings us to the concept of Olympic Truce. This brings us to the concept of Olympic Truce. Olympic Truce is a concept in which warring parties Olympic Truce is a concept in which warring parties or nations are encouraged to lay down arms in order or nations are encouraged to lay down arms in order to represent their countries at the Olympics and also to represent their countries at the Olympics and also allow safe passage for athletes to travel in.allow safe passage for athletes to travel in.

Olympic Truce is fully supported by the UN, and on the website (www.olympictruce.org) a UN resolutions brochure on Olympic Truce can be found.

Originally from the sacred Greek Tradition Originally from the sacred Greek Tradition of “Ekecheiria” meaning “truce”, this of “Ekecheiria” meaning “truce”, this concept has been around and concept has been around and implemented since the 8th century BC. implemented since the 8th century BC. Observed for 12 centuriesObserved for 12 centuries

After the Olympic games had been revived After the Olympic games had been revived in 1896, the first Olympic Truce to be in 1896, the first Olympic Truce to be observed was in 1994, at the Olympic observed was in 1994, at the Olympic Winter games in Norway.Winter games in Norway.

The Olympic truce is an excellent way to The Olympic truce is an excellent way to initiate cease fires for Olympic athletes to initiate cease fires for Olympic athletes to participate but also for health initiatives to participate but also for health initiatives to be activated during such cease fires.be activated during such cease fires.

Bombing during religious daysBombing during religious days

The US government decided not to The US government decided not to stop bombing Afghanistan during the stop bombing Afghanistan during the holy months of Ramadhan in 2001.holy months of Ramadhan in 2001.

What did USA have to say for itself???What did USA have to say for itself??? ““Mr Rumsfeld said that he was aware Mr Rumsfeld said that he was aware

of General Musharraf's views on a of General Musharraf's views on a "sensitive" issue, but he said the US "sensitive" issue, but he said the US had to pursue the al-Qaeda network had to pursue the al-Qaeda network and its Taleban protectors in and its Taleban protectors in Afghanistan.”Afghanistan.”

Afghanistan Case Study Afghanistan Case Study #2#2 1994 and 1995 1994 and 1995

ceasefires for ceasefires for vaccination of vaccination of

children and their children and their mothersmothers

Conflict BackgroundConflict Background Civil war began in 1978 and was based on Civil war began in 1978 and was based on

disputes between several internal armed disputes between several internal armed factions with various foreign supporters.factions with various foreign supporters.

Late 1992, after a the fall of the Najibullah Late 1992, after a the fall of the Najibullah government, the civil war continued between government, the civil war continued between the Jamiat-i-islami led coalition government the Jamiat-i-islami led coalition government and the opposing Mujahideen groups.and the opposing Mujahideen groups.

During the following two years fierce and During the following two years fierce and devastating factional fighting flared up in devastating factional fighting flared up in Kabul. Half of the city's population fled the Kabul. Half of the city's population fled the city, which became divided between different city, which became divided between different groups. groups.

The Mass Immunization The Mass Immunization CampaignCampaign

Organized through collaboration between the Organized through collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and WHO Afghanistan.Ministry of Public Health and WHO Afghanistan.

Letters stating the benefits of such a ceasefire Letters stating the benefits of such a ceasefire were sent to all Afghan leaders and governors. were sent to all Afghan leaders and governors.

Unanimous positive response was received.Unanimous positive response was received. Many different groups (both political and non-Many different groups (both political and non-

political) were on board with the idea.political) were on board with the idea. First ceasefire was scheduled for a week in Nov. First ceasefire was scheduled for a week in Nov.

1994.1994. Two subsequent similar ceasefires in mid 1995.Two subsequent similar ceasefires in mid 1995.

ResultsResults The program resulted in unprecedented cooperation The program resulted in unprecedented cooperation

between the warring parties.between the warring parties. The first ceasefire lasted nearly two months more The first ceasefire lasted nearly two months more

than organizers had planned.than organizers had planned. This campaign vaccinated over 2 million children and This campaign vaccinated over 2 million children and

700 000 mothers against polio and other diseases.700 000 mothers against polio and other diseases. 14 000 health care workers were trained.14 000 health care workers were trained. Equipment and infrastructure was provided to many Equipment and infrastructure was provided to many

regions of the country.regions of the country. The Afghan people learned about vaccine The Afghan people learned about vaccine

importance.importance.

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned This program showed that again, health issues This program showed that again, health issues

have the ability to unite a nation and strengthen have the ability to unite a nation and strengthen the social fabric of that nation.the social fabric of that nation.

Additionally, organizers learned the importance Additionally, organizers learned the importance of communication and consultation at every of communication and consultation at every stage.stage.

This program may have planted the idea of This program may have planted the idea of groups working together towards permanent groups working together towards permanent peace.peace.

Finally, communities that have access to health Finally, communities that have access to health and development programs have a stake in and development programs have a stake in peace and will oppose groups that promote war.peace and will oppose groups that promote war.

Conclusion Conclusion

PeacebuildingPeacebuilding Effects of Effects of Humanitarian Ceasefires:Humanitarian Ceasefires:

show that it is possible to develop new show that it is possible to develop new ways to communicate and create an ways to communicate and create an environment that promotes dialogue. environment that promotes dialogue.

provide a space of tranquility which can provide a space of tranquility which can remind people what peace is like, inspire remind people what peace is like, inspire them with hope and strengthen their them with hope and strengthen their commitment to work for peace.commitment to work for peace.

help to empower people and overcome the help to empower people and overcome the sense of isolation and helplessness which sense of isolation and helplessness which can drain their lives.can drain their lives.

PeacebuildingPeacebuilding Effects of Effects of Humanitarian Ceasefires:Humanitarian Ceasefires:

bring a wide range of parties at the local, bring a wide range of parties at the local, national and international level into national and international level into dialogue and can encourage public dialogue and can encourage public discussion of important issues.discussion of important issues.

draw national and international attention draw national and international attention to the effects of the war on all Peopleto the effects of the war on all People

make communities aware of their rights to make communities aware of their rights to receive food and medical care.receive food and medical care.

Challenges to Humanitarian Challenges to Humanitarian Ceasefires:Ceasefires:

The value of such ceasefires is limited The value of such ceasefires is limited unless they are part of a peace process unless they are part of a peace process which deals with the underlying causes of which deals with the underlying causes of conflict. conflict.

The danger of temporary ceasefires that are The danger of temporary ceasefires that are not rooted in the peace process is that they not rooted in the peace process is that they can be used to score political power and can be used to score political power and therefore have the potential to stall the therefore have the potential to stall the peace process. peace process.

Opposing forces do not want to appear to Opposing forces do not want to appear to be weak, or to go back on a publicly stated be weak, or to go back on a publicly stated positionposition

Challenges to Humanitarian Challenges to Humanitarian Ceasefires:Ceasefires:

The inability of those with the will to The inability of those with the will to cease-fire to persuade the ultimate cease-fire to persuade the ultimate decision makers that it is desirabledecision makers that it is desirable

The gap between what one group wants, The gap between what one group wants, and what the other is willing to give may and what the other is willing to give may be too widebe too wide

One group is unable to cease fire because One group is unable to cease fire because it can not control the military forces which it can not control the military forces which claim to fight for itclaim to fight for it

ReferencesReferences

Jalali, A. A. (2001). Afghanistan: The Anatomy of an Ongoing Jalali, A. A. (2001). Afghanistan: The Anatomy of an Ongoing Conflict. Conflict. Parameters. Parameters. RetrievedRetrieved February 28, 2006, from February 28, 2006, from http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/01spring/jalhttp://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/01spring/jalali.htmali.htm

Peters, M.A. (1996). Peters, M.A. (1996). A Health-to-Peace Handbook.A Health-to-Peace Handbook. Retrieved Retrieved February 28, 2006, from February 28, 2006, from http://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/peace-health/Resourcehttp://www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/peace-health/Resources/hlthpcbk.pdfs/hlthpcbk.pdf

Walker, John J. Walker, John J. Orphans of the Storm: Peacebuilding for Orphans of the Storm: Peacebuilding for Children of War. Children of War. Canada: Between the Lines, 1993. Canada: Between the Lines, 1993.

World Health Organization. (1997). World Health Organization. (1997). Polio: The Beginning of Polio: The Beginning of the Endthe End. Retrieved March 1, 2006, from . Retrieved March 1, 2006, from http://www.who.int/vaccines-documents/DocsPDF/ww9705ahttp://www.who.int/vaccines-documents/DocsPDF/ww9705a.pdf.pdf

SIDE ASIDE A

This rebel group wants independence This rebel group wants independence from the government and freedom from the government and freedom from suppressionfrom suppression

This is also demographically the This is also demographically the poorest region of the countrypoorest region of the country

There is an abundance of oil in this There is an abundance of oil in this regionregion

SIDE BSIDE B

The government of the country The government of the country benefits from the current relationship benefits from the current relationship with the rebel group, and is not with the rebel group, and is not willing to part with the oil easilywilling to part with the oil easily