Rwanda’s Gacaca Courts and Gender-Based Violence with Dr Judith Rafferty

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May speaks with Dr Judith Rafferty, an expert mediator and researcher, about the complex role of Rwanda’s Gacaca courts in addressing sexual violence in the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide. Dr Rafferty draws on her extensive experience and research to explore how these community-based justice mechanisms handled gender-based violence cases and whether they met the justice needs of survivors.

Key Highlights:

• Dr Rafferty’s Journey into Sexual Violence Research: Discover what led Dr Rafferty to focus on conflict-related sexual violence, beginning with her work in the Central African Republic and her exposure to informal justice systems.

• Understanding the Gacaca Courts: Learn about the history and purpose of Rwanda’s Gacaca courts, traditional community-based justice processes that were reimagined to address the aftermath of the genocide.

• Sexual Violence in the Gacaca Courts: Dr Rafferty explains how sexual violence cases were eventually incorporated into the Gacaca system, and the challenges this brought for victim-survivors.

• Justice Needs of Survivors: Explore the justice needs identified in Dr Rafferty’s research, including safety, validation, and perpetrator accountability, and how the Gacaca courts succeeded or fell short in meeting these needs.

• Social Cohesion and Healing: A discussion on whether the Gacaca courts were able to foster societal healing and reintegration for survivors of sexual violence, and the ongoing challenges faced by survivors today.

This episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of traditional justice systems, gender-based violence, and post-conflict recovery in Rwanda.

Links:

• TEDx Talk: When Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. But I Don’t Care | Judith Herrmann
• 3-Minute Thesis: Judith Rafferty for Conflict Management and Resolution
• Policy Brief: Sexual Violence After Genocide
• Journal Article: Justice Interests of Female Victim-Survivors of Sexual Violence in Gacaca
• Article: Interviewing Rwandan Survivors of Sexual Violence
• Critical Analysis: Transitional Justice Measures in Gacaca

Full Citations:

• Herrmann, J. (2017). When sorry seems to be the hardest word, but I don’t care. TEDxJCUCairns. Link to TEDx Talk
• Rafferty, J., & Fox, N. (2023). Sexual violence after genocide. Policy Brief. International Association of Genocide Scholars. Link to Policy Brief
• Rafferty, J. (2018). "I wanted them to be punished or at least ask us for forgiveness”: Justice interests of female victim-survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and their experiences with Gacaca. Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal, 12(3), 95–118. Link to Article
• Herrmann, J. (2017). Experiences, challenges, and lessons learned; interviewing Rwandan survivors of sexual violence. Griffith Journal of Law & Human Dignity, 5(1), 165–188. Link to Article
• Herrmann, J. (2012). A critical analysis of the transitional justice measures incorporated by Rwandan Gacaca and their effectiveness. James Cook University Law Review, 19, 90–112. Link to Article

Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Introduction
• [00:01:08] What drew Judith to study sexual violence?
• [00:08:35] What were the Gacaca Courts?
• [00:14:31] Rape and the Gacaca trials
• [00:19:28] Protecting victims in Gacaca
• [00:23:50] Outcomes for victims?
• [00:29:19] Justice and outcome needs of victim-survivors
• [00:34:55] Did Gacaca repair victims (enough)?
• [00:41:42] Coping with the research
• [00:44:22] Where to learn more about Judith's work

Reframing Peace Mediation with Dr Owen Frazer: A Deep Dive into Conflict Transformation

In this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast, host Laura May engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Owen Frazer, a seasoned conflict resolution expert and Senior Advisor for Conflict Transformation at Helvetas. Dr Frazer, with over two decades of experience and a new book titled Reframing Peace Mediation, shares invaluable insights into the art and science of mediation in conflict settings.

Key Highlights:

• Dr Frazer's Journey and Motivation: From Belfast to becoming a leading voice in peace mediation, explore Owen's motivations and how his experiences shaped his approach to conflict resolution.

• The Gaps in Mediation Literature: A critical look at the disconnect between academic research on mediation and practical, on-the-ground conflict resolution. Discover why Dr Frazer embarked on his PhD to bridge these gaps.

• The El Salvador Peace Process: An in-depth exploration of Dr Frazer’s research on the 1989-1992 peace negotiations in El Salvador, focusing on the complexities of facilitative mediation and the power dynamics at play.

• Framing in Mediation: Uncover Dr Frazer's innovative framework that explains how mediators can effectively influence outcomes through strategic framing actions—naming, claiming, and gaming.

• The Role of Pragmatism in Peacebuilding: A discussion on how pragmatic decision-making impacts the longevity and acceptance of peace agreements, particularly in the context of political mediation.

• Dr Frazer's Current Work: Insights into Owen’s current role at Helvetas, where he advises on conflict transformation across various contexts, from grassroots peacebuilding to navigating complex political landscapes.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolving practice of peace mediation and the intricate dance of framing that underpins successful conflict resolution.

Links:

• Reframing Peace Mediation by Dr Owen Frazer: Routledge
• Helvetas: Helvetas Official Site
• Dr Owen Frazer's LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile

Timestamps:

• Introduction and Welcome - [00:00:00]
• Owen's Journey into Peace Mediation - [00:01:00]
• Gaps in Mediation Literature - [00:02:00]
• The El Salvador Peace Process - [00:06:00]
• Framing in Mediation - [00:10:30]
• Pragmatism in Peacebuilding - [00:30:00]
• Dr Frazer’s Current Work at Helvetas - [00:35:33]
• How to Get Involved in Conflict Transformation - [00:40:42]
• Conclusion and Contact Information - [00:44:00]

Innovating Peace with Stephen Gray: Embracing Inclusive and Adaptive Strategies

Join host Laura May in this episode of the Conflict Tipping podcast as we explore the world of inclusive peacebuilding with Stephen Gray, Director of Adapt Peacebuilding and Doctoral Researcher at the University of Sussex. With 18 years of experience in developing non-violent solutions for conflict zones, Stephen shares his journey and insights on transformative approaches to peace. Highlights include:

• Stephen's journey from New Zealand to various global conflict zones, exploring his motivations and experiences.
• The impact of the 2021 Myanmar coup on local peace processes and the role of social movements in challenging power dynamics.
• An in-depth discussion on the crucial role of women in peace processes, highlighting how their inclusion transforms power structures and outcomes.
• Stephen’s current PhD research on the differences between structured peace processes and broad-based social movements.
• Innovative methodologies used by Adapt Peacebuilding to empower local communities to create their own conflict solutions.

This episode offers a profound look at the evolving landscape of international peacebuilding, emphasising the need for innovative, inclusive, and adaptive strategies in addressing modern conflicts.

Links

• Adapt Peacebuilding: https://adaptpeacebuilding.org/
• Adapt Peacebuilding podcast: https://adaptpeacebuilding.org/podcast/
• Stephen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-the-gray/

Bookmarks

• Introduction to the Conflict Tipping Podcast - [00:00:00]
• Stephen's Journey into Peacebuilding - [00:01:04]
• PhD Research and Myanmar's Peace Process - [00:06:07]
• The Role of Women in Peace Processes - [00:12:56]
• Defining Peace and Its Challenges - [00:18:07]
• Challenges in Peacebuilding Funding - [00:22:05]
• Adapt Peacebuilding's Approach - [00:28:43]
• Innovations in Peacebuilding - [00:30:10]
• Personal Reflections and Inspirations - [00:32:16]
• Conclusion and Contact Information - [00:39:04]