Full Text of Guide for mediators
Integrating Internal Displacement in Peace Processes and Agreements (PDF)
Contents of Guide
Integrating Internal Displacement: Quick Reference
Foreword
Introduction
Step 1: Assess the Causes, Dynamics, and Characteristics of Internal Displacement
Step 2: Create a Framework for Integrating Internal Displacement
Step 3: Engage IDPs in the Peace Process
Step 4: Integrate Human Rights and Interests of IDPs in the Peace Agreement
Appendix 1: Examples of the Inclusion of Internal Displacement in Recent Peace Agreements
Appendix 2: Summary of Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement
Appendix 3: Useful Resources
Notes
About the Lead Author
About the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
About the United States Institute of Peace
Quick Reference
Quick Reference (PDF)
- Step 1: Assess the causes, dynamics, and characteristics of internal displacement
- Be clear about why internal displacement matters for peace
- IDPs may directly affect the peace process in positive or negative ways
- Explicitly addressing the specific needs and interests of IDPs can help in resolving some of the causes of the conflict
- Ending internal displacement in durable ways is essential to building and sustaining peace and to address one of the most burdensome legacies of armed conflict
- Understand the causes and patterns of displacement and the role of the parties
- Understand the characteristics of IDP groups
- Be aware that the IDP community in a particular situation will likely not be a monolithic 'bloc'
- Consider characteristics of IDP groups including leadership structures and any linkages to belligerents
- Evaluate the role of IDPs as actors in the peace process
- On the basis of: size of IDP constituency, degree of leverage IDPs can exert on the parties or the process, security arrangements associated with engaging IDPs, ability to secure commitment from parties for active IDP participation
- Step 2: Create a framework for integrating internal displacement
- Use a mission statement to guide the integration of internal displacement
- Understand the legal and policy foundations
- Guiding principles on internal displacement
- National legislation
- International humanitarian and human rights law
- Resolutions, declarations, and decisions of international organizations
- Apply the framework to assist mediation efforts
- Create space for consultation with or even participation of IDPs in peace processes
- Identify those IDP-specific human rights and interests that should be reflected in peace agreements
- Keep the end goal in view
- Empower IDPs to contribute to peace processes
- Avoid political manipulation of internal displacement
- Step 3: Engage IDPs in the peace process
- Assess different processes for consulting with IDPs
- Stand-alone processes/linked processes/inclusive processes
- Decide on the type of process
- Consider general guidance for engaging with IDPs
- Seek informed consent and be clear about expectations
- Be available for consultation and communication
- Demonstrate commitment to the concerns and interests of IDPs
- Design the method of consultation to fit the purpose
- Identify representative and credible IDP interlocutors
- Ensure security and confidentiality of IDP interlocutors
- Engage IDPs throughout the stages of a peace process
- Stage I: Mediation Process Design, Prenegotiation Preparation, and Consultation
- Stage II: Internal Consensus Building
- Stage III: Seeking Agreement between the Parties
- Stage IV: Implementation
- Troubleshooting: how to overcome obstacles to the engagement of IDPs
- Deal with disparate views among IDPs
- Deal with refusal of the parties to IDP participation
- Deal with inadequate resources or time for full consultation
- Step 4: Integrate human rights and interests of IDPs in the peace agreement
- Consider two key issues
- Where to place provisions on internal displacement
- How to balance maximalist and pragmatic approaches
- Focus on areas
- Use clear and consistent definitions
- Incorporate displacement-specific rights and protections
- Incorporate interests of IDPs
- Specify roles and obligations of relevant actors with regard to IDPs
- Specify clear implementation process
Note: Steps are not sequential. They overlap and should be performed throughout the entire process.
