Introduction

Michelle Parlevliet (M.A., Political Science, University of Amsterdam, 1996, cum laude; M.A. International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, 1995) is a researcher at the Faculty of Law at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on the intersection of human rights and conflict transformation in theory and practice. She is currently working on a PhD dissertation on this topic, building on her practical experience in this area and existing publications. Other research interests include: natural resource management; conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding and human rights based approaches in development practice; war-to-peace negotiations; community mediation; transitional justice and truth-telling; state fragility and aid effectiveness; and the role and functioning of national human rights institutions in divided societies.

Background

Michelle has been working on human rights and conflict transformation for some 15 years in various capacities and contexts. She served as senior conflict transformation adviser in Nepal for the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advising Danida's Human Rights and Good Governance Programme and its local partners, as well as the Embassy of Denmark on its support to the peace process (2006-2009). She previously worked with the Centre for Conflict Resolution in South Africa, where she established and managed the Human Rights and Conflict Management Programme (1999-2005); the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (1997-1998); and the Prosecutor's Office of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (1995-1996; 1998-1999). She has consulted for the World Bank (Indonesia); the International Council for Human Rights Policy; the Northern Ireland Parades Commission; the Danish Institute for Human Rights; the German development agencies GTZ and DED; and several other organisations and networks. For the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN System Staff College, and Fahamu, she developed a distance learning course on conflict prevention for national human rights institutions which was translated into French and Spanish and conducted six times targeting national institutions in different regions of the world. 

Michelle is an experienced trainer and process facilitator and has frequently worked as a lead facilitator for the UN System Staff College on conflict prevention, early warning, and conflict analysis (since 2002). In 2008/2009, she served as independent expert forthe UN/Spain MDG Trust Fund in its conflict prevention and peacebuilding thematic window. This involved assessment of concept notes and programme proposals submitted by UN Country Teams in some 20 countries, including development of recommendations for improvement.

Publications (Selection)

[Scroll down for a full publication list.]

(2011) Connecting Human Rights and Conflict Transformation. Guidance for Practitioners. Published by German Association for International Cooperation (GiZ), German Civil Peace Service, German Institute for Human Rights, Eschborn, Bonn. 

(2010) "Rethinking Conflict Transformation from a Human Rights Perspective," and "Holding Concurrent Realities. Reflection on the Responses," in: V. Dudouet and B. Schmelzle (eds.), Human Rights and Conflict Transformation. The Challenges of Just Peace , Berghof Handbook Dialogue Series No. 9, Berghof Conflict Research (Berlin): pp. 15-46 and 105-113.

(2009) "Icebergs and the Impossible: Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Post-Settlement Peacebuilding," in: E. Babbitt and E.Lutz (eds.), Human Rights & Conflict Resolution in Context , Syracuse University Press (Syracuse): pp. 248-288.

(2006) "National Human Rights Institutions and Peace Agreements: Establishing National Institutions in Divided Societies," published as part of project Human Rights in Peace Agreements , International Council for Human Rights Policy (Versoix).

(2005) "Institutions for Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking," in B. Wisner, C. Toulmin and R. Chitiga (eds.), Towards a New Map of Africa , Earthscan (London): pp. 299-235.

(2005) "Using Rights to Address Conflict - Valuing Synergy," with Ghalib Galant, in: P. Gready and J. Ensor (eds.), Reinventing Development. Translating Rights-based Approaches from Theory into Practice, Zed Books (London): pp. 108-128.

(2005) Defenders of Human Rights, Managers of Conflict, Builders ofPeace? National Human Rights Institutions, Conflict Management and Peacebuilding in Africa, M. Parlevliet, G. Lamb, and V. Maloka (eds), Centre for Conflict Resolution (Cape Town.)

(2002) "Bridging the Divide:Exploring the Links between Human Rights and Conflict Management," Track Two Occasional Paper , Vol. 11 No. 1, Centre for Conflict Resolution (Cape Town): pp. 8-43.

(2001) "Conflict Prevention in Africa: a Matter of Containment or Change? The Role of Civil Society in preventing deadly conflict in Africa," in: E. Sidiropoulos (ed.), A Continent Apart. Kosovo, Africa and Humanitarian Intervention, South African Institute for International Affairs (Johannesburg): pp. 61-88.

(1998). "Between Facilitator and Advocate: the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission," Forum (US National Institute of Dispute Resolution), No. 36, Dec: pp. 6-15.

(1998) "Considering Truth. Dealing with a Legacy of Gross Human Rights Violations," Netherlands Quarterly of Human Rights , Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 141-174.

• Lead Article and Concluding Reflection, Berghof Handbook Dialogue

• Bridging the Divide. Exploring the Relationship between Human Rights and Conflict Management

• Between Facilitator and Advocate: the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission

• Considering Truth. Dealing with a Legacy of Gross Human Rights Violations

• NHRIs in Africa (edited volume)

• Human Rights and Conflict Transformation. Guidance Paper for Development Practitioners

• Publication List Oct 2102

Links

• Member, Steering Committee, Cultural Emergency Response (programme of Prince Claus Fund providing first aid to cultural heritage damaged by man-made or natural disaster) - since November 2014
• Member, Board of Trustees, Conciliation Resources (UK-based conflict transformation & peacebuilding NGO) - since June 2014
• Member, International Advisory Board, Transformative Justice Project (3 yr ESRC funded research project focusing on Egypt & Tunesia) - since March 2014
• Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Human Rights Practice (Oxford Journals) - since 2007
• Member, International Advisory Group, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict (University of East London) - since 2006

• Prince Claus Fund - Cultural Emergency Response

• Conciliation Resources

• Transformative Justice Project

• Journal of Human Rights Practice

• Centre on Human Rights in Conflict

No known ancillary activities