Resources & Tools

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.

Cover (Image: U.S. Institute of Peace)
February 2010 | Peace Brief by Scott Worden

The presidential and provincial council elections held in Afghanistan in August 2009 were marred by irregularities and fraud, leading voters and candidates to question the fairness and utility of the democratic process there. The Afghan government announced in late January that it will delay Parliamentary elections until September 2010--several months beyond the deadline set by Afghanistan’s constitution.

Looking for Justice - PW63 (Image: USIP)
November 2009 | Peaceworks by Deborah H. Isser, Stephen C. Lubkemann, Saah N’Tow, with Adeo Addison, Johnny Ndebe, George Saye, Tim Luccaro

This report presents the research findings and analysis of ten months of field study as part of the United States Institute of Peace and George Washington University project titled "From Current Practices of Justice to Rule of Law: Policy Options for Liberia's First Post-Conflict Decade."

J Alexander Thier (Photo: USIP)
October 2009 | Congressional Testimony by J Alexander Thier

On October 1, 2009, Alex Thier, director of USIP’s Afghanistan and Pakistan program, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia on the Afghan elections, the importance of strengthening Afghan institutions, and the threats to success for the U.S. mission in that country.

Dari Cover
September 2009 | Book by Colette Rausch, editor

This path-breaking volume presents broad guidelines and specific prescriptions for combating serious crime in societies emerging from conflict.

Countries: Afghanistan | Issue Areas: Civil Society, Rule of Law
September 2009 | Book by Colette Rausch, editor

This path-breaking volume presents broad guidelines and specific prescriptions for combating serious crime in societies emerging from conflict.

Countries: Nepal | Issue Areas: Civil Society, Rule of Law
Cover (Image: U.S. Institute of Peace)
August 2009 | Peace Brief by Hans Joerg Albrecht, Louis Aucoin and Vivienne O’Connor

A new USIP report on Haiti's criminal laws examines the shortcomings of the impoverished country's criminal code – and finds promising opportunities to modernize and reform the laws. Despite Haiti's numerous challenges, the report concludes that new laws in Haiti will usher in a new era where the criminal justice system serves all people of Haiti, including the poor, vulnerable and marginalized, and upon which respect for the law and legitimacy of a stronger judicial system overall can be built.

Countries: Haiti | Issue Areas: Governance, Rule of Law
July 2009

Truth Commission: Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation
Duration: 2 years anticipated
Charter: Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission Bill
Commissioners: 7
Report: The commission is still in session.

Countries: Kenya | Issue Areas: Rule of Law, Transitional Justice
April 2009

Truth Commission: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Duration:  April 29, 2009 – 2010 (expected; one year, not counting a three months preparatory period). Extensions by the Prime Minister are possible, but limited to one year.
Charter: Truth and Reconciliation Commission Act 2008 (No. 5 of 2008)
Commissioners: 5
Report: Not yet issued

Credit: File Photo
April 2009

This digital library includes documents from over 35 truth commissions and related commissions of inquiry.