Outgoing UN legal chief says peace and justice must go hand in hand
Although maintaining the balance between restoring peace and ending impunity can be sensitive and complex, amnesties for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are unacceptable, according to the United Nations Legal Counsel.

UN News Service, July 25, 2008

Zimbabwe abuse must end for talks success - churches
Violence and human rights abuses must end in Zimbabwe if talks on a power-sharing pact between government and opposition are to have any chance of success, a coalition of world Christian bodies said on Friday. It also called for a “genuine restoration of the rule of law” and for justice for the survivors of election violence.

Reuters, July 25, 2008

Indonesia "regrets 1999" violence in Timor
Indonesia’s president acknowledged that his country carried out gross human rights abuses during East Timor’s 1999 break for independence, but stopped short of offering a full apology on Tuesday [July 15] and said no one would be prosecuted. A bilateral truth commission, set up in 2005 to investigate the bloodshed, said Indonesian soldiers, police and civil authorities engaged in an “organised campaign of violence” against independence supporters, including murders, torture and other abuses.

AP/Google, July 15, 2008

“No peace without justice”
In the aftermath of massive human rights abuses such as the Srebenica massacre, the Rwanda genocide, or in Liberia and northern Uganda, the search for justice and reconciliation can be a controversial and dangerous business explains Dorota Gierycz, former representative of the UN high commissioner for human rights in Liberia.

Human Rights Tribune/IPS, July 23, 2008

Yarnup
Yarnup is an education and outreach program that aims to connect Australian students with their local Indigenous community through friendship, and in so doing, develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal history and culture. Established as a pilot in 2008, Yarnup uses the award-winning film Kanyini www.kanyini.com as a starting point. Kanyini explores the story of Indigenous Australia through the eyes of Aboriginal elder, Bob Randall. The site contains information about how schools can get involved in the program and access a range of resources.

www.yarnup.com.au

Sudan-Uganda: between hope and fear
It’s been three years since a peace accord put an end to the civil war between north and south Sudan. The conflict, which began in 1983, displaced millions of civilians. Many fled to neighbouring Uganda. Now there’s a steady flow of refugees returning to Sudan who face an uncertain future. IRIN Film & TV have produced a short film which highlights this situation. IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks) is part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, but its services are editorially independent.

Click on the links below to play the film in Flash (Duration: 09:59)

The transcript of the film can be downloaded at www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=79067#
IRIN Film & TV, July 10, 2008

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbours.
If there is to be peace between neighbours,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.

-- Lao Tzu (570-490 BC)