From Violating Norms to Political Responsibility

HSFK Report 5/2010 by Stefanie Herr on "Binding Non-State Armed Actors to International Humanitarian Law: Lessons from Sudan"

How can non state armed group (NSAGs) brought to accept and respect norms of international humanitarian law? Taking the example of the Ottawa Convention on ban of landmines Stefanie Herr examines how the NGO Geneva Call successfully persuades NSAGs to sign the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action (DoC) and thereby obliging themselves to adhere to the principles of the landmine ban. The principles include the prohibition of using, producing, stockpiling and proliferating of these weapons.



In HSFK Report 5/2010 "Vom Regelbruch zu politischer Verantwortung. Die Anerkennung völkerrechtlicher Normen durch nichtstaatliche Gewaltakteure im Sudan" (From Violating Norms to Political Responsibility. Binding Non-State Armed Actors to International Humanitarian Law: Lessons from Sudan) the author tracks the commitment of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) to the DoC. She reveals factors that increase the likelihood of NSAGs to comply to such negotiated agreements. The report concludes with practical recommendations for the international community and the handling of non state armed groups.

 

The report can be ordered at PRIF for the price of EUR 6,- and is also available as free pdf download.