ArticlesMediaTransitional JusticeThe Establishment of the South African Disappearance Task Team, the Roots for a Regional Network?The workshop organised by Linking Solidarity in 2003 in order to explore the possibilities for an African network stimulated the Southern African organisations in getting together to see if they could work together more and also to look for a possibility of founding a special Southern African network. Polly Dewhirst gives an update on the latest developments in the Southern… Read More CSVRSeptember 1, 2005
ArticlesMediaPeacebuilding, Transitional JusticeUps and Downs for SudanRichard Smith – who serves on the ACTION Steering Committee member and is active in the Peace and Development Platform (PAD) - was in Sudan at the same time as Garang to assist in facilitating a peacebuilding training for members of community youth groups from across the country. The programme was supported by the Azza Women's Association, the Centre for… Read More CSVRSeptember 1, 2005
ArticlesMediaGender-based ViolenceDebating Change: Having More Women in Parliament Doesn't Necessarily Mean That More Importance Is Being Placed on Women's NeedsEarly proponents of democracy firmly believed that women, like lunatics, servants, slaves and children needed neither the vote nor representation on governance structures. Not only were they convinced that women's interests could be safely subsumed under those of male family members, but they were also quick to argue that women's fragile, emotional natures rendered them incapable of moral reasoning, delivery… Read More CSVRAugust 5, 2005
ArticlesMediaTransitional JusticeIn Search of the "Disappeared": Taking the Campaign to AfricaImagine your loved one simply "disappeared". You approach the local authorities and are met with blank stares. Years later you are still searching, wondering what happened to them or whether they are still alive. "Disappearances" have long been used as a brutal tactic of repressive regimes. In Africa, it has been documented that disappearances have taken place in 25 out… Read More CSVRAugust 4, 2005
ArticlesMediaPolicing, Violence PreventionOnce More to the BarricadesThis week's anniversary of June 16th 1976 is an appropriate time at which to reflect on questions of the state response to the recent wave of protests. The brutal police response to the 1976 demonstrations set off a wave of unrest during which, according to the official enquiry which followed, 451 people were killed by police. With June 1976, the… Read More CSVRJune 15, 2005
ArticlesMediaChildren and Youth, Peacebuilding, Transitional JusticeFear, Terror and the Spoils of Power: Youth Militias in ZimbabweIt is when fear becomes part of the social fabric of society that the spoils of abused power become most lucrative. Amidst reports of decreased levels of physical violence in the run up to the 31 March election in Zimbabwe some claim that here at least ZANU-PF is making a difference. But this 'new' level of violence is only relative… Read More CSVRMarch 1, 2005
