A Review of the Peace Platform? Considering Some of the Challenges and Opportunities of International Law in the Resolution of Ethnic Conflicts

The resolution of ethnic conflicts is vital to the restoration of international peace and security and, in this way, is linked to international law. This paper seeks to examine the most important challenges and opportunities of international law in the context of the resolution of ethnic conflicts.

The most fundamental challenges are: (1) internal contradictions in peacebuilding processes that hinder the establishment of lasting peace in multi-ethnic societies; (2) the lack or inadequacy of a minority-centric approach in the United Nations’ response structures and mechanisms, which, as a result, makes long-term and lasting ethnic peace elusive; and (3) organizational incoherence and a one-size-fits-all approach within the United Nations framework that have hindered effective, focused, comprehensive, and effective action. The basis for resolving these conflicts is not easy to come by.

In contrast, the authors suggest several solutions available in international law to address these challenges, some of which are (1) mainstreaming minority rights at the United Nations; and (2) establishing a specialized institution for ethnic conflicts.

This article, by examining in detail the challenges and opportunities for the development of rights, the international community is engaged in resolving ethnic conflicts.