The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) attended this event hosted by Chatham House to hear from the International Crisis Group on the Ten Wars to Watch in 2015. The talk considered the implications of these crises, as well as potential policy opportunities to defuse them.

The event featured a presentation by Jean-Marie Guehenno, President and CEO of the International Crisis Group, and was chaired by Dr Patricia M Lewis, Research Director for International Security at Chatham House.

 

The main points put forward by Jean-Marie Guehenno:

• Early warning of crises must be prioritised, as the longer conflicts last, the more difficult they are to resolve. The options for the international community to intervene are also more extensive during the early stages of a conflict before major conflict erupts.
• Global power is more diffuse than it used to be, as mid-ranking powers play an increasingly important role in international peace and security.
• Legitimacy of the state is decreasing within many current conflicts, with other actors are taking increasingly important roles.
• The power of inclusion should not be underestimated. Peacebuilding must focus on bringing all parties to dialogues, especially the traditionally excluded and those ‘who have no guns.’
• The international community should have a more modest agenda in response to international crises, and understand the limits of their capacity to change highly complex conflict situations.

Details of the 10 Wars to Watch in 2015 can be found at: http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/op-eds/2015/guehenno-10-wars-to-watch-in-2015.aspx

The talk can also be viewed in full at: http://www.chathamhouse.org/event/next-flashpoint-potential-threats-peace-and-security-2015

The PHRG will continue to monitor the crises mentioned in the report and their human rights implications.