Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran joins Dr. Williams on this compelling episode of Lawyering Peace. Mr. Rudrakumaran, or Rudra, served as the former legal advisor to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the peace talks with the Government of Sri Lanka that commenced in 2000. He is currently heading the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam in exile as its Prime Minister.

Rudra provides a vivid recount of the context leading to the Norwegian-facilitated peace process in Thailand, detailing his journey to becoming the LTTE’s chief legal advisor. He delves into the unique challenges faced by lawyers representing non-state armed actors in peace negotiations, particularly the struggle to achieve and maintain parity with state actors amidst international perspectives favoring states.

Through gripping narratives, Rudra illustrates how the LTTE sought to counterbalance the government’s legal and resource advantages by leveraging the Tamil diaspora and engaging in strategic lawfare. He offers practical advice for lawyers on how to effectively integrate into their client's team and utilize soft power to influence negotiations.

Rudra's experiences underscore Dr. Williams’ frequent assertion about the need to understand and navigate the parallel agendas of international mediators. He candidly discusses how these separate interests contributed to the challenges faced by the LTTE and the eventual collapse of the peace process. The episode also touches on the importance of diaspora involvement, the dynamics between local communities and the diaspora, and the pursuit of justice through international mechanisms.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the Sri Lankan peace talks, the role of lawyers in representing non-state actors, and the impact of international third-party mediators in peace processes.

In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Dr. Paul Williams engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Meg deGuzman, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Institute for International Law and Public Policy at Temple University. Professor de Guzman, a distinguished judge at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and Senior Peace Fellow at PILPG, shares her expansive view on the role of justice mechanisms in building durable peace.

Throughout the interview, they explore the complexities and nuances of international justice and the evolution of accountability. Professor deGuzman highlights the potential of non-judicial accountability mechanisms, such as truth commissions and reparations. While the proliferation of judicial mechanisms like the International Criminal Court has been significant, she points out that these non-judicial approaches are not receiving the same attention but hold substantial promise for contributing to justice and durable peace. Reflecting on her experiences from the Rome negotiations for the International Criminal Court to her work at the Yugoslavia Tribunal, Professor de Guzman provides a candid assessment of the impact of justice on peace processes.

Join us for a compelling discussion on the evolving landscape of international justice, the successes and limitations of current mechanisms, and the critical role that diverse accountability mechanisms can play in fostering lasting peace.

In this episode of the Lawyering Peace podcast, Anna Triponel delves into the challenging yet hopeful post-Gaddafi era in Libya. After nearly 50 years of authoritarian rule, the nation faced the monumental task of building a new identity from the ground up, with no existing rule of law infrastructure or constitution. The Libyan people encountered a myriad of obstacles, including the widespread circulation of weapons and deep-seated distrust among various factions.

Anna, who led PILPG’s efforts to advise Libya on the post-conflict constitutional process and specifically headed the Libyan women’s cohort during this transformative period, discusses the initial enthusiasm for the constitution-building process. She highlights how this enthusiasm waned as the complexities of unifying a country with stark regional and ethnic differences became apparent. Anna emphasizes the difficulties of fostering loyalty to a national identity while respecting regional diversities and the critical role of building client relationships through understanding individuals' backgrounds and motivations.

One of the key highlights of the episode is Anna’s work with the Libyans to develop a domestic accountability mechanism for atrocity crimes, illustrating their desire for local justice over international interventions. The episode sheds light on the challenges faced when the International Criminal Court's involvement was undermined by militia power, highlighting the ongoing need for authentic reconciliation efforts in Libya.

Listeners will find valuable lessons in Anna’s reflections, particularly the significance of empathy and humility in international peace efforts. Her insights remind us that understanding the lived experiences of those we work with is paramount, as these issues are often matters of life and death.

This episode is a compelling exploration of the complexities of post-conflict nation-building and the human connections that underpin successful peace processes.