UWC AC Peace and Conflict Conference 2012

Video about the 2012 UWC AC Peace and Conflict Conference made by Media Service at AC.

Peace vs. Justice. Sealed vs. Unsealed.

One of the longest running debates in international relations and conflict resolution is the supposed choice between achieving Peace and providing Justice in terms of dealing with leaders.

On one hand, the immediate pursuit of justice is portrayed as an apparent impediment to peace since no rational leader will negotiate themselves out of power and into a courtroom.

On the other side, it is argued that there can never be lasting peace if justice does not stay the hand of vengeance. A mid-way position argues that the two concepts can co-exist if justice demands are sequenced in a manner that priorities the immediate realpolitik demands for compromises, such as amnesty or exile, at least until it becomes politically expedient to implement accountability.

However, this (http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2011/aug/31/gaddafi-arrest-warrant-under-seal) guardian article by Alison Cole points the debate in a slightly different direction, noting that

Although there may never be one right answer, particularly given the varied complicated circumstances of any given case, the manner in which an international arrest warrant is issued can greatly impact on this “peace vs. justice” dynamic.

I think the article makes a fairly good explanation as to the reasons for and against sealed warrants. Full article below:

March Break 2011: Part 1

While wondering what to do during my March break, I stumbled upon the ’2nd Biennial War Crimes Conference’ which was to be held in London from 3-6 March. It ended up being a happy coincidence with the conferencing happening during my March break such that I only needed to miss one day of school and would still have a few days to finish up any bits of work. With all that planning out of the way, it was goodbye to Atlantic College for a few days and off to London for the War Crimes Conference of 2011.