On July the 7th 2008, one of the most important opinion publications in Colombia "SEMANA" published an article called “El ensayo y error de la reintegración” (Trial and error of the reintegration programme. According to this article, part of the nearly fifty thousand former combatants (left oriented guerrilla groups and right oriented paramilitary groups) considers that the Colombian government has not kept its commitments in the framework or the reintegration program of ex-combatants into civilian life. For instance, the article stresses that some of the demobilized persons do not have access to health and education (particularly vocational training) services and psychological orientation and for this reason the former combatants run the risk of returning to armed conflict (Semana 2008). This situation seems to validate the "positive peace theory", which suggests that the end of violence via peace agreement does not necessarily mean the achievement of peace. On the contrary, in the aftermath of any intense violence or any so called post-conflict situation, new challenges and opportunities arise, which have to be taken into account if one wants to achieve a real transition toward the ideal of peace.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical framework
- 2.1. Post-Conflict from a peacebuilding perspective
- 2.2. Post-Conflict and Human Rights
- 2.2.1. A complex relationship
- 2.2.2. Human Rights and post-conflict from a Transitional Justice approach
- 2.2.3. Relationship between human rights and post-conflict from a peacebuilding perspective
- 3. Social and economic reintegration of former combatants
- 3.1. Overview of the social and economic reintegration
- 3.2. Relationship between social and economic reintegration and transitional justice
- 3.3. The social and economic reintegration of former combatants in El Salvador and in Colombia
- 4. Implications: importance and challenges of the social and economic reintegration of former combatants for peacebuilding
- 5. Toward the transition from a former combatant to a citizen
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the importance and challenges of social and economic reintegration of former combatants for peacebuilding. It argues that such reintegration, grounded in justice and reconciliation, is crucial for successful post-conflict peacebuilding, drawing on theories of positive peace and human needs. The focus is on how reintegration contributes to a holistic approach that addresses physical, psychological, and social reconstruction.
- The role of social and economic reintegration in post-conflict peacebuilding.
- The relationship between reintegration, transitional justice, and human rights.
- Challenges to successful reintegration, such as societal prejudice and the need for justice.
- Case studies of reintegration efforts in El Salvador and Colombia.
- The transition from former combatant to civilian life.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the topic through a news article highlighting the shortcomings of a Colombian reintegration program. It establishes the paper’s central argument: successful reintegration is vital for lasting peace.
Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework lays the groundwork by defining “post-conflict” from a peacebuilding perspective and exploring the complex relationship between post-conflict situations, human rights, and transitional justice.
Chapter 3: Social and Economic Reintegration of Former Combatants provides an overview of reintegration mechanisms and offers illustrative case studies from El Salvador and Colombia.
Chapter 4: Implications delves into the importance and challenges of social and economic reintegration for peacebuilding, considering the need to balance justice and reconciliation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Post-conflict, peacebuilding, reintegration, transitional justice, human rights, reconciliation, justice, El Salvador, Colombia, former combatants, human needs, positive peace, social and economic reintegration.
- Quote paper
- Andrés Home (Author), 2009, Social and economic reintegration of former combatants: Challenging human rights and peacebuilding, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/124851
