Author: Scott Worden / Political Geography: Asia

Author:: Whitney Parker, Scott Worden, Shani Ross, and Sahar Azar
Publication Date:: 03-2011
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:: Post-conflict justice mechanisms such as truth commissions, war crimes tribunals and reparations programs have emerged as a fundamental building block of durable peace settlements in Latin America, Africa and Asia. They are relatively rare, however, in Muslim countries recovering from conflict-despite the fact that social and criminal justice is a fundamental principle of Islamic law.
Topic:: Conflict Prevention, Crime, Islam, War, Law Enforcement, and Law
Political Geography:: Africa, Asia, Arabia, and Latin America

Author:: Scott Worden
Publication Date:: 02-2010
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:: The presidential and provincial council elections held in Afghanistan in August 2009 were marred by irregularities and fraud, leading voters and candidates to question the fairness and utility of the democratic process there. The Afghan government announced in late January that it will delay Parliamentary elections until September 2010—several months beyond the deadline set by Afghanistan's constitution. The extra time is needed to make adequate logistical preparations, but little has been done so far to reform electoral institutions or policies to prevent a repeat of the problems of the 2009 elections. Without signi_cant changes in the personnel and policies of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)—the constitutional body responsible for overseeing all electoral processes— the 2010 election is likely to fall below international standards and risks undermining government (and international) legitimacy at a critical period for the counterinsurgency strategy. In addition, signi_ cant long-term reforms, including a wholesale revision of the voter registry, must be initiated now to ensure that the district council and other future Afghan elections are credible and acceptable.
Topic:: Democratization, Sovereignty, and Governance
Political Geography:: Afghanistan and Asia

Author:: Scott Worden and Rachel Ray Steele
Publication Date:: 12-2008
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:: Documentation centers dedicated to researching, recording, archiving and protecting information related to mass crimes and human rights abuse conflict have been organized in countries as diverse as Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala and Iraq. Their work is an integral part of a transition from an authoritarian regime or war to sustainable peace. Victims want to tell what happened to them, be acknowledged, and know how and why atrocities occurred. Moreover, an accurate accounting of past crimes applies pressure to remove perpetrators from power and raises awareness toward preventing future abuse.
Topic:: Conflict Resolution, Human Rights, War, and International Affairs
Political Geography:: Afghanistan, Iraq, Central Asia, Asia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cambodia, Guatemala, and Southeast Asia

Author:: Scott Worden and Christina Caan
Publication Date:: 07-2007
Content Type:: Policy Brief
Institution:: United States Institute of Peace
Abstract:: Nearly six years after the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, efforts to develop civil society are showing tentative signs of progress. Advances are especially evident in the increasing capacity of Afghan non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Kabul. But the effectiveness of civil society in influencing development in the provinces remains low, and rising insecurity in many regions threatens the future prospects of the nascent Afghan civil society.
Topic:: International Relations and Civil Society
Political Geography:: Afghanistan, United States, and Asia

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