Acute or latent conflicts jeopardise the political stability of numerous Asian countries. Even in countries that have so far been considered stable, violent conflict could flare up at any given moment.
Possible reasons for this are, among others,
- economic and social tensions
- a rudimentary system of rule of law
- discrimination against individual social groups.
The development of exclusive ethnic, religious or regional identities leads to dangerous internal and regional tensions.
Internal Tensions and Conflicts
Ethnic and religious tensions and separatist movements greatly threaten the internal cohesion of many countries in the Indian Subcontinent. Not only the long-lasting conflict between Pakistan and India, which threatened to escalate into a nuclear war in 1999, burdens the South Asian region. The stagnating peace negotiations between Buddhist Sinhalese and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka have also increased regional tensions, as do the numerous ethnic and religious conflicts that threaten the unity of Pakistan.
Furthermore, there is ongoing instability in Afghanistan. Since the overthrow of the Taliban at the end of 2001, local warlords, once repressed by the Taliban, are now taking control of the nations’ fate – far more than the central government in Kabul does. Since November 2006, there are warnings of an increased Talibanisation.
Reconciliation and Reconstruction
The Heinrich Böll Foundation facilitates surveys and analysis in conflict regions as well as reconciliation and reconstruction programmes. Furthermore, democratic institutions are being supported so as to contribute to legal security, to a disposition for reconciliation and dialogue, and to non-violent conflict settlement.
In India, together with the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) the Heinrich Böll Foundation organises a civil society dialogue beyond religious, ethnic and state boundaries, on peaceful coexistence between Hindus and Muslims. Political activists, decision makers and other members of civil society are being strengthened with regards to their responsibilities in containing communal violence.
European – Asian Dialogue
The rapid changes taking place throughout the Asian continent challenge the orthodox Western structures of international institutions. New paths must be paved for joint global policies. Set against stereotypes of threat-scenarios, the programmes of the Heinrich Böll Foundation place emphasis on differentiated perspectives from the region, with the aim of developing joint mechanisms of governance for the global challenges at the regional and international level.
Since 2006 the Heinrich Böll Foundation invites experts, Green policy-makers, and NGO representatives to the discussion group “China and India within the World (-Economy)”. Discussion subjects are the global, economic, trade, resources, climate and geopolitical effects and repercussions of the two ‘emerging giants’ onto the world. Public events with speakers from Asia provide regular detailed information, such as on the environmental movement in China, civil society in Burma, or on Chinese expectations regarding European foreign affairs and security policies.
Crisis Prevention & Conflict Management in Afghanistan
Political conflicts and social instabilities shape the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Violent acts of terrorism are augmenting, as are disparities in economic development. Bilateral relations between these two countries are deteriorating; transboundary networks of Neo-Taliban and Al Qaida are in active operation. The international community deals with these phenomena almost exclusively by military means.
More concentrated military, political, and economic efforts are necessary to stabilise Afghanistan after years of neglect, considering that formal democratic developments have not succeeded in improving the material instrumentation of the political system, nor the condition of the population. Since early summer of 2006 internal weaknesses in the political system have led to a drastic loss of trust by the population which could, in turn, expand into a dramatic crisis of legitimacy of the international donor community.
In the region of Afghanistan/Pakistan the Heinrich Böll Foundation supports
- the development of democratic structures on the basis of equitable participation of all sectors of the population, with particular focus on gender justice
- the intensification of regional communication and peaceful co-operation.
The foundation promotes pluralistic dialogue in Afghanistan, as well as democratisation and the development of Afghani society in co-operation with traditional tribal structures. In this context, the equitable integration of women into political decision-making processes is supported, as is the political education of political activists and other members of civil society. The Heinrich Böll Foundation organises events in the Kabul Green House and works in close cooperation with local project partners both in Kabul and in Southeast Afghanistan.
Thematic Focuses
Within the focus on Traditional Societies and Democracy, the Afghani Tribal Liaison Office (TLO) organises, for example, civil society oriented educational courses for the clergy, and intercultural trainings for members of the local Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
So as to improve the rights of women and their political participation, the Afghani initiative Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) published, with support from the Heinrich Böll Foundation, a survey on traditional enforced marriages of girls (“Bad”); it produced a television film and radio dramas on this topic.