Grassroots responses to violence

Bernard Rutikanga, who is co-ordinating the research in Rwanda, described a complex situation in which "it is hard to define who is Hutu and who is Tutsi." The distinction originated in class differences, rather than ethnic ones, at the time of colonisation. Grassroots efforts at peacemaking include initiatives of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, headed by Aloisea Inyumba, who addressed the WACC Congress on 5 July.

Rutikanga described youth solidarity camps, which are now obligatory for any young people wanting to enter the university. He also cited the work of the human rights commission in teaching rights and responsibilities, as well as attempts to empower people by decentralising government. Laws and the constitution are also being revised in an effort to prevent future conflicts. A key factor for the future, however, is alleviation of poverty. "When people are poor," he said, "you cannot talk about reconciliation, because poverty feeds violence."

In Sri Lanka, where a long-running conflict between the Tamil minority and Sinhalese majority is also largely rooted in colonial power shifts, grassroots peacemaking efforts were more difficult to find. Lal Wijesinghe, who is co-ordinating the research in that country, said that peace initiatives from people on either side are often considered betrayal, and may be followed by attacks or assassination. "People are afraid to talk about peace initiatives," he said, and even churches are in a precarious position; several strong church leaders have died, and there is a leadership vacuum nationwide.

Still, Wijesinghe said, there are some initiatives. In one area of eastern Sri Lanka that is under Sinhalese army control, there had been many disappearances. A local peace committee is now insisting on enforcement of laws requiring that the family be advised of a person’s arrest or release from detention. The result has been a marked decrease in disappearances. "People join the militants because they have no other options," he said. "Those who can leave the country or migrate to Colombo do so. The poor have no other options," Wijesinghe said.

A comparison of the two cases underscores several common points, Bamat said. In both cases the conflict has been manipulated by state-run media. The two situations also expose the often-repeated myth that ethnic conflicts go back many centuries. Many are actually more modern, with their roots in inequities established during the colonial era. And in both cases, local people, often members of faith communities, are slowly working to build peace.