Conflict resource

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The term conflict resource refers to resources involved in armed conflicts. There is both anecdotal and statistical evidence that belligerent accessibility to conflict resources can prolong conflicts. [1] [2] [3]The concept of 'conflict resource', or 'conflict commodity' emerged in the late 1990s, initially in relation to 'conflict diamonds' (often replaced by 'blood diamonds' in the media) financing rebellions in Angola and Sierra Leone, as well as 'conflict timber' financing hostilities in Cambodia and Liberia.[1] The term was first officially defined by the UN General Assembly for 'conflict diamonds': [4]. The UN Security Council has since referred to conflict resources in several resolutions, and the advocacy group Global Witness has called for an international definition facilitating a more systematic application of UN resolutions, the prevention of complicity in abuses during hostilities by commercial entities exploiting or trading in conflict resources, and the prosecution of war profiteers suspected of supporting or abetting war criminals.[2]. A definition proposed by Global Witness is: Conflict resources are natural resources whose systematic exploitation and trade in a context of conflict contribute to, benefit from or result in the commission of serious violations of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law or violations amounting to crimes under international law.[3]

The term has also been used more broadly, for natural resources which exploitation would involve human rights abuses, notably those of indigenous groups. [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Philippe Le Billon, "Fuelling War: Natural Resources and Armed Conflicts", Adelphi Paper 373, IISS & Routledge, 2006.
  2. ^ Michael Ross,"How Do Natural Resources Influence Civil War? Evidence from Thirteen Cases", International Organization, 2004.
  3. ^ James Fearon and David Laitin, "Ethnicity, Insurgency, and Civil War" American Political Science Review, 2003.
  4. ^ UNGA Resolution 55/56 (2001).