The protection of internally displaced people and peacebuilding

Abstract

The aim of this paper is on the one hand to highlight the problem of lack of protection for internally displaced persons. On the other it raises the need that the search for durable solutions for internally displaced persons to become a central issue of an international peace-building agenda at the service of human security. Indicates why the IDPs have become an international concern and justifies particular attention in their protection. It explains the emergence and meaning of a concept of protection based on rights and from communities versus concepts of protection from institutions such as the “responsibility to protect”. The protection of IDPs ultimately involves the search for durable solutions. However, as the paper wants to evidence, the practice of peace-building and the liberal peace project do not prioritize human security neither address the problem of IDPs in the appropriate way. Also the critique of liberal peace based on that it is an approach that prioritizes rights over needs has also the danger of relegating the most marginalized even by their own Governments, the IDPs, to the role of simple victims without the right to a just peace. Finally, some conclusions and issues that can guide a research agenda are proposed.