Publications & Tools

part of the Rule of Law
August 2011 | Special Report by Noah Coburn

 In this Special Report Noah Coburn analyzes findings from USIP's in-country research projects on dispute resolution in Afghanistan. The report argues that the lines between formal and informal justice systems in Afghanistan are blurred and that this has major implications for international programs engaging the informal sector, and ultimately concludes that lack of security and political stablity are the greatest challenges to dispute resolution.

Countries: Afghanistan | Issue Areas: Rule of Law
Cover (Image: U.S. Institute of Peace)
February 2010 | Peace Brief by John Dempsey and Noah Coburn

Stability in Afghanistan will remain elusive unless disputes between individuals and among communities can be resolved through peaceful and equitable means. However, state justice institutions are barely functioning in much of the country and are incapable of meeting many justice and dispute resolution needs of Afghans.

Issue Areas: Rule of Law
October 2007 | Peace Brief by Leigh Toomey and J Alexander Thier

A legitimate, functioning and coherent justice system is urgently needed in Afghanistan, where a legacy of three decades of war, continued insecurity, endemic corruption, and lack of resources hobble development. In this light, USIP has produced a new USIPeace Briefing discussing the challenges of building rule of law as well as mechanisms of formal and informal justice in the country.

Countries: Afghanistan | Issue Areas: Rule of Law