Working Group on Justice for Peace

About

Introduction

Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP) was founded in June 2006 as a network of human rights and peace activists to strengthen their nonviolent efforts to protect human rights, promote access to justice and to end impunity. WGJP engages in human rights monitoring and advocacy while encouraging grassroots activism and supporting victims of human rights violations in their fight for justice.

Mission

WGJP believes that respect for human rights and rule of law is a necessary measure to reduce violent conflict and to build peace in conflict areas.

WGJP believes that the main catalyst for change are communities themselves and therefore focuses much of their energy and resources on community empowerment.

Objectives

• To raise public awareness on matters of justice and rule of law, human rights, and international human rights standards.
• To strengthen the capacity of victims and their family members to fight for justice and for communities to protect human rights using nonviolence.
• To advocate nationally and internationally for the Thai government to address human rights violations and digression from rule of law in order to end impunity and provide remedies to victims and their families.

Goals

• Greater political will within government to address human rights and justice issues
• Greater pressure through concerted action from various sectors of society
• Greater protection for those seeking justice
• Wider networks of advocates of human rights and nonviolence
• Support through coalition of allies
• Mobilization of communities based on norms of human rights

WGJP Strategy: Holistic Human Rights Advocacy

Given the dynamics of the conflict, WGJP focuses on extended the international human rights regime to the grassroots level by monitoring and advocating for human rights as well as empowering communities with skills, knowledge, protection and solidarity. WGJP works at the local, national and international level thereby implementing a holistic human rights advocacy strategy. WGJP believes efforts at all levels are necessary in order to develop the political will to protect human rights and prevent violations.

Local level: Empower civil society and support victims

1. Victim assistance and mobilization: rehabilitation workshops, convening network of victims, trial observations, fundraising for families, exchange with victims from other countries
2. Information gathering: fact-finding, documentation, reporting
3. Community education and capacity-building: Human Rights and Legal Training, support for in-field volunteers
4. Youth program: Skills Training, Exchange Programs, Exposure Trips, Human Rights and Nonviolence Training
5. Negotiation with local authorities: urgent action, lobbying

National level: Develop political will and raise awareness

1. Lobbying and engagement with government officials and security sector
2. Reporting of rights violations: NHRC, Police, MoJ
3. Public seminars on human rights issues: ie. disappearance convention, torture
4. Media Advocacy: networking with national and international media, press releases, statements
5. Public Events and Campaigns: ie. signatures for disappearance convention, victims and family gatherings

International level: Develop support, protection and solidarity

1. Reporting: diplomatic missions, INGOs, Special Procedures, Human Rights Council
2. Lobbying for support of campaigns
3. Networking and solidarity: assistance for victims, urgent action, concerted action
4. Awareness raising: international conferences and seminars, media