Mainstreaming human rights in responding to the conflict cycle : the role of NGOs

Abstract

As tensions and conflicts escalate, human rights are continuously and increasingly violated through structural and direct violence committed against parts, or all, of the population. In turn, at the same time as human rights are violated, the likelihood and potential for tension and conflict rise. Violence breeds counter-violence. Over time, structural violence breeds direct violence and vice versa. In contrast, a decrease of direct and structural human rights violations diminishes the potential and occurrence of violent conflict.