An Unlikely Dilemma: Constructing a Partnership Between Human Rights and Peace-Building (Church of Sweden Research)

In a world where armed conflict, repression, and authoritarian rule are too frequent, human rights and peace-building present key concepts and agendas for the global and local struggle for peace and development. But are these agendas congruent? Do they support each other? Many organizations, states, and individuals have experienced how priorities of one agenda create friction with the other. For instance, are justice and reconciliation incompatible goals? If not, do they lead to counteracting initiatives? How can local and international actors develop support to societies that search a way out of violence and repression without violating universal moral standards, in an imperfect and resource-scarce situation? This study departs from the view that both human rights and peace-building are agendas with specific and unique contributions. In order to deal with overlapping claims that the two agendas sometimes formulate, in both conflict and post-conflict situations, this study suggests specific approaches in order to create synergy effects of agenda cooperation.

Goran Gunner is Associate Professor in Mission Studies at Uppsala University, Senior Lecturer at Stockholm School of Theology, Sweden, and Researcher at the Church of Sweden Research Unit. He is also the main editor of the Church of Sweden Research Series.

Kjell-Ake Nordquist is Professor of International Relations, specializing in peace-building and human rights, in the Human Rights Program at Stockholm School of Theology. He has been involved in mediation and conflict resolution work in East Timor, in the Middle East, and in Latin America. Together with Goran Gunner, Nordquist is the author of An Unlikely Dilemma (2011), and the editor of Gods and Arms (2013)..