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Peace Network

An early warning system which allows the news of conflict or planned acts of violence to be disseminated as quickly as possible, and consequently acted upon.

Description

This initiative, funded from 2004 to 2005, but continuing to this day, is intended to create a network that allows the sharing of accurate information as fast as possible on conflict situations. This parallels with an early warning system that supports the minimisation of damage. The HREPO members get involved directly in the conflict transformation process once they receive the information.

Through this initiative, a peace committee has been established in Tissamaharama, selecting representatives for it from village level subcommittees which includes both Sinhalese and Muslim communities covering 36 villages.

Aims / Objectives

The project aims to minimise conflicts in the Tissamaharama area between the Sinhala and Muslim communities and between different villages. It is aimed at improving relations between the two ethnicities, and hopes to minimise misunderstandings that are the root cause of most conflicts occurring in the area.

How it is Articulated

For the introduction of the initiative, and for the formation of village level sub-committees, a meeting was called for the people in the area. They were informed of human rights issues and the conflict situation in the area. Consequently, sub-committees were formed at village levels which were networked through nominated representatives into a Tissamaharama Peace Committee. These sub-committees act to take non-violent action for conflict transformation whenever a conflict arises in their villages. They intervene and mediate in conflicts and if they need help with the process, they contact the Peace Committee and HREPO.

The Peace Committee of Tissamaharama also includes key personnel, as proposed by the people, such as the local head of divisional secretariat, and representatives from the police, army, religious clergy and schools. Monthly meetings are conducted to strengthen the network and share information on the situation in the area, and to draw up plans for conflict transformation.

Achievements / Learning Points

As a result of this initiative HREPO have a widespread network that reaches out to all levels of the community. This network of people provides them with fast, reliable information on possible conflict situations occurring in the community. Consequently they have been able to successfully act during the first stages of conflicts for their resolution. The network is formed of people from all different levels of the community. Therefore, through the network and through witnessing HREPO's actions, the trust between the organisation and the community, and between the organisation and the participants of this initiative, has improved. The regular presence of key people in the meetings has had an impact on the villagers, which is shown by a recorded decrease of conflicts. Furthermore, the organisation has learnt from the success of participants in solving conflicts in their own areas, that women can be more successful as peace makers.

This initiative focuses on awareness and community mobilisation for effective conflict transformation and training. However, incorporating a development objective into the initiative would enable an increased commitment and participation from the side of the people, since it would address their basic livelihood needs. With the fulfilment of their hunger assured, their commitment for peace and conflict transformation could be sustained for a longer time. Incorporating awareness programmes on human rights and economic development would also further enhance the richness of the initiative.

Geographical Area of Operation

Tissamaharama.

Funding Resources

Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies.

Story

A gang of youths in the area got together to kill a military person who has misused his power constantly. Our subcommittee in the village heard about this plan and contacted us immediately. We were able to reach that village in time and remove the military person to a safe place. Following that we waited for the youth group which consisted of both Sinhalese and Muslims and explained the weight of their planned action. Irrespective of the misconduct of the military person, if he had been killed, it would have been seen as an action against the state authority and the youths would have been punished in the most severe manner, and it had the potential to trigger a conflict between the Sinhalese and Muslims since the military person was from the dominant ethnic group of Sinhalese. Therefore we were able to prevent a situation that had grave consequences and was able to guide the youth group to take legal actions against the misconduct of the military person, lodging a complaint with the police and taking the matter to the military heads of the area who are members of our committee."
- A participant of the initiative.