Judicial Reform – A Neglected Dimension of SSR in El Salvador

In El Salvador regiert nach eigenem Bekunden der coolste Diktator der Welt - Nayib Bukele. Der Präsident geht mit harter Hand gegen die organisierte Kriminalität im Land vor. Auch wenn die Mordraten gefallen sind, zahlt das Land einen hohen Preis.

In Guatemala, President Bernardo Arévalo took office on 15 January 2024, raising hopes of democratic reform. Still, an entrenched elite has continuously distorted the independence of the judiciary. Not only are elections highly contested; democracy itself is on the line. Can Guatemala turn the tide?

Local actors should be involved in peacebuilding processes and security sector reforms (SSR). The book presents a feminist and intersectoral conceptualisation of SSR as well as quantitative and qualitative findings from 42 post-conflict societies as well as from Afghanistan and Colombia. Open Access until 11 December 2023!

El Salvador and other countries in the region declare states of emergency to combatviolent crime. However this strategy rarely works.

President Nayib Bukele has imposed a state of emergency for 30 days as El Salvador grapples with a sudden increase in slayings. Could an alleged soured pact between the government and notorious gangs be the reason? 

El Salvador's president declared the state of emergency a month ago. Over 20,000 young people have been detained after a wave of homiciedes in March. What happened?

Reforms of security sector institutions (SSR) are often crucial elements of international support for peacebuilding and democratisation. Although there is no general definition of SSR, it includes demobilisation processes of ex-combatants, mandate and personnel reforms in the police, armed forces and judicial sector. A comprehensive vision of security governance reforms is important as long as these reforms go beyond ending a civil war and are directed towards reducing various manifestations of violence and towards citizen security.

Organiser: German-Colombian Peace Institute Prof. Dr. Sabine Kurtenbach (Speaker)

Workshop on SSR organized by CAPAZ and the University of Antioquia in Medellin