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4 September 2023
Our new Research Paper Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges presents a comprehensive examination of the realities faced by 'Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups' (YANSAG).
Based on field data collected in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and Colombia and authored by our Head of Research and Policy Studies Dr Erica Harper and Visiting Research Fellow Dr Yosuke Nagai, the paper analyses the distinct needs of these young people, as well as their potential — and often overlooked — role in peacebuilding efforts.
‘This paper offers unique insight into how the community of practice might develop more effective and impactful strategies when dealing with former combatants. This is a topical issue for both countries where non-international armed conflicts are taking place, but also for countries of origin seeking to reintegrate YANSAG’ underlines Dr Haper.
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AMISOM>
In this paper, the authors introduce the term 'Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups' (YANSAG) and highlight their lack of recognition as 'youth' as well as the absence of an international protection framework that caters for their distinct needs and vulnerabilities.
‘Often, discussions within the realm of conflict resolution, disarmament, reintegration, and counterterrorism overlook the complexities faced by YANSAG. This paper aims to rectify this oversight and trigger discussions aimed at empowering YANSAG as agents of peace’ explains Dr Nagai.
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ICRC
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The paper's findings draw from an analysis of semi-structured interviews with 120 youth previously associated with non-State armed groups (NSAGs) such as Al-Shabaab, the Houthis, SPLM-LO, and FARC. It confirms the disproportionate participation of young people in violent extremism and NSAGs at between 70-90 percent. The data also highlights the vulnerabilities faced by these individuals both before and after their engagement. Strikingly, a vast majority of respondents had desired to leave their groups but lacked opportunity.
Hindrances included fears of reprisals, lack of practical support, and to a lesser extent, the absence of legal amnesty. The paper also highlights consistent messages from YANSAG to their peers, emphasizing the scope of life outside of the group.
‘In short, we need to radically rethink our approach to YANSAG. Strategies need to be centred around prevention, providing concrete assistance for safe disengagement, extending juvenile justice norms to YANSAG, and integrating restorative justice with a focus on desistance rather than de-radicalization’ underlines Dr Nagai.
‘Integrating YANSAG’s concerns into conversations around peacebuilding, stabilization, resilience and broader youth agendas is also pivotal’ he adds.
Geneva Academy
As every year and in the framework of the IHL core course given by Professor Marco Sassòli, 16 students of our LLM in IHL and Human Rights pleaded on the 2014 armed conflict in and around Gaza.
The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to the proceedings of an international seminar on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up (NMIRFs).
Adobe
This annual conference co-organized with the University of Essex provides a space for experts and practitioners, diplomats, academics, young scholars and civil society representatives to discuss contemporary legal issues in armed conflict.
Elgar
On the occasion of the launch in Geneva of the volume Armed Groups and International Law. In the Shadowland of Legality and Illegality, panelists will reflect on the status of armed groups within a complex legal landscape.
UN Photo/Manuel Elias
This online short course provides an introduction to the regime of sanctions under international law and their effectiveness in addressing contemporary forms of conflict. It addresses the questions related to state responsibility, the pacific settlement of international disputes and the role of the International Court of Justice.
UN Photo
This online short course dwells on the means of international law-making (treaties, customary international law, unilateral acts, general principles of law etc.). In other words, the course looks at the sources from which public international law rules stem and at the entities that are empowered with the capacity of law-making in the international legal order.
Shutterstock
This project will explore humanitarian consequences and protection needs caused by the digitalization of armed conflicts and the extent to which these needs are addressed by international law, especially international humanitarian law.
UNAMID
This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.
Geneva Academy