Skarstad, Kjersti --- "Human rights violations and conflict risk: a theoretical and empirical assessment" [2019] ELECD 933; in Bailliet, M. Cecilia (ed), "Research Handbook on International Law and Peace" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 147

Book Title: Research Handbook on International Law and Peace

Editor(s): Bailliet, M. Cecilia

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: Human rights violations and conflict risk: a theoretical and empirical assessment

Author(s): Skarstad, Kjersti

Number of pages: 15

Abstract/Description:

This chapter observes that a central premise and promise of human rights law is that the protection of human rights leads to more peaceful societies. Yet, in empirical conflict research, rights violations have for the most part not been seen as a relevant conflict risk factor. Also in the human rights literature it is unclear why and how violations possibly lead to a higher risk of violent civil conflicts. This chapter explains theoretically how human rights violations can potentially increase the risk of violent civil conflicts. It argues that human rights abuses serve as both conflict facilitators and conflict multipliers. It then demonstrates empirically that violations of basic economic and social rights and physical integrity rights increase the risk of civil war, while the effects of other civil and political rights are minor. The main implication of these results is that human rights policies and the enforcement of human rights law are well worth pursuing in order to reduce conflict risk.