Human Rights & Peace

Ambassador Keith Harper: Human Rights and the Path to Durable Peace

In this compelling episode of Lawyering Peace, Ambassador Keith Harper, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, explores the intricate relationship between human rights and the establishment of durable peace. Drawing from his extensive experience in global diplomacy, Ambassador Harper discusses how the promotion and protection of human rights are essential pillars of lasting peace. He delves into the challenges of integrating human rights into peace negotiations, especially when accountability is at stake, offering real-world examples from South Sudan to Sri Lanka. 
Through an engaging conversation, Ambassador Harper addresses the role of the UN Human Rights Council and Commissions of Inquiry in influencing peace processes, and provides insights into how the international community can better incorporate human rights into peacebuilding efforts. 
Tune in for a deep dive into the critical, though often imperfect, work of intertwining human rights with peace.

Ambassador Jorge Lomonaco: United Nations Human Rights Council and Peace

In this episode of Lawyering Peace, we sit down with Ambassador Jorge Lomanco, a distinguished diplomat from Mexico who has served as an ambassador to both the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Organization of American States. As the chief negotiator of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, for which he and his team were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Ambassador Lomanco brings a wealth of experience to the table.
The conversation dives deep into the critical role human rights play in achieving durable peace. Ambassador Lomanco discusses the moral obligation to prioritize human rights at every level of peace negotiations, emphasizing that the protection of these rights is essential for durable peace. He provides insights into how human rights have been both pivotal and sidelined in various peace processes around the world, from transitions in Latin American states to South Africa's peace process.
Ambassador Lomanco also tackles the challenges of centering human rights in peace negotiations, particularly when dealing with regimes that have committed widespread abuses. He explores the often difficult choices between offering amnesty to dictators and the need for accountability, sharing examples from Venezuela, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, and beyond.
Moreover, the episode sheds light on the role of the UN Human Rights Council in conflict situations, highlighting its responsibilities, tools, and the importance of remaining engaged to prevent the escalation of violence. Ambassador Lomanco shares his views on the impact of Commissions of Inquiry and the future intersection of peace and human rights, stressing the major impact of political will and international cooperation on the effectiveness of UN mechanisms.
Amb. Lomanco reflects on the significant contributions of the UN and regional bodies like the Organization of American States (OAS) in shaping a world where human rights are increasingly protected, even amidst ongoing challenges. This episode offers a profound look at the complexities of integrating human rights into peace processes and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure lasting peace.

Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre: Prioritizing Human Rights in the Peace Process

In this special episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, we are honored to host Ambassador Juan Esteban Aguirre, who brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished career as Paraguay's Minister of Foreign Affairs and as the Vice President of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Aguirre has also served as Paraguay's Ambassador to the United States, Canada, and Brazil, and as Head of Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva.
Ambassador Aguirre delves into the critical role that human rights protections play in building and sustaining durable peace. Drawing from his experience in various conflict zones, he highlights how acknowledging human rights violations during conflict during the peace processes, is foundational to achieving lasting peace. Through the lens of the Colombian conflict, Aguirre discusses the challenges in balancing the immediate need to end violence with the necessity of embedding human rights into peace negotiations.
He emphasizes that for peace to be sustainable, it must be built on the ground, starting with the empowerment of local communities. Aguirre argues that human rights should not only be a component of peace agreements but also a core principle guiding the entire peacebuilding process. He shares insights on how the United Nations Human Rights Council's mechanisms, such as fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry, can provide crucial information that ensures accountability and justice are part of the peace process.
Ambassador Aguirre also calls for a shift from a reactive to a more preventive approach in addressing human rights abuses, advocating for greater collaboration and information-sharing among human rights bodies to promote more comprehensive and effective peacebuilding strategies.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of human rights and peace processes, as it provides actionable insights and recommendations for integrating human rights into the heart of peacebuilding efforts.