Conflict and peace-building

The situation for 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is worse now than it has ever been since the start of the Israeli military occupation in 1967. The current situation in Gaza is man-made, completely avoidable and, with the necessary political will, can also be reversed

Open letter to the British and Irish governments on the continuing tragedy of dispalcement in Colombia

Views from Sierra Leone and Burundi on the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) - a study by ActionAid, CAFOD and CARE International.

This shadow report assesses the first year of the PBC’s work in its first two focus countries. It shows that the PBC’s impact has been largely positive and well received, but that important challenges remain

Security, Development and Conflict: the critical importance of a civil society perspective

Conflict tears apart families and splinters communities; it destroys social infrastructure and makes efforts to prepare for a better future, such as education, next to impossible. Where the state is in many ways absent and other forces exert power, civil society groups – especially faith-based or community-based groups – are often the only functioning platform for development or conflict analysis.

This reform package moves in the right direction to affirm the rights of individuals, communities and civil society to do more than merely survive; they also must be able to be healthy and free to play active and constructive part in rebuilding their countries and holding their governments accountable.

In conclusion, CAFOD is broadly supportive of the proposals for UN reform, because we see the plans as constructive and a re-centring on what is important: the protection of the rights and dignity of the peoples of the world

The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to a request from the International Development Select Committee for an analysis from humanitarian organisations into the situation in Darfur. It is not an attempt to give the full historical context of the conflict in Western Sudan or in Sudan as a whole.

Rather, it is an analysis, from the basis of our programmes, of the current humanitarian and political developments in Darfur, with recommendations for UK government policy.

These papers are no longer available online, but copies may be sent out if you email policy@cafod.org.uk requesting the title as listed here

CAFOD Policy Statement on East Timor
This paper outlines some of the medium and long-term policy goals on East Timor. It does not deal with peacekeeping issues or the immediate humanitarian needs generated by the crisis, which have so far dominated the international response
(September 1999)

Iraq, Sanctions, and the war against terrorism
Briefing paper

New sanctions against Iraq - May 2002
Briefing paper

A People Sacrificed: Sanctions Against Iraq
The current comprehensive sanctions regime imposed on Iraq by the United Nations Security Council should be immediately suspended and a new relationship initiated and developed between the international community and Iraq
(February 2001)

Landmines Update
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines, often referred to as the Ottawa Treaty, became international law on 1 March 1999
(August 1999)