PILPG - Programs:

Peace Negotiations and Post-Conflict Constitutions

PILPG is frequently called upon to provide legal and political counsel to parties and mediators engaged in peace negotiations and in drafting post-conflict constitutions. To date, PILPG has assisted with nearly a dozen peace negotiations and has provided numerous legal memoranda on all aspects of the negotiation process.

Table of Contents

Afghanistan – Post-Conflict Constitution
PILPG advised the President of Afghanistan on the development of the new constitution, and continues to provide assistance with the post-conflict development of the Executive branch and the implementation of the new constitution.

Anuak/Ethiopia – Negotiations to End Ethnic Cleansing
PILPG is advising the Anuak of Ethiopia during their negotiations with the Ethiopian government to prevent further crimes against humanity and to structure mechanisms of local self government to which governing powers may be devolved. PILPG is also working with the Anuak to file a provisional complaint with the International Criminal Court.

Armenia – Nagorno-Karabakh Peace Negotiations
PILPG advised the government of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Government of Armenia on numerous aspects of the Minsk Peace process, which involves trilateral negotiations among Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan on the final status of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Bosnia – Dayton Peace Negotiations
PILPG served as legal counsel to the Bosnian Government delegation during the negotiation of the Dayton Peace Accords. A member of PILPG was accredited as a member of the Bosnian delegation and was present during the entire negotiations.

Bosnia – Post-Dayton Constitution
PILPG is assisting the Bosnian government with a review of the current Bosnian constitution and with the preparation of amendments to the constitution that will restore and rehabilitate currently ineffective political and economic institutions.

Estonia – Border Negotiations with Russia
PILPG provided legal advice to Estonia during its negotiations with Russia concerning the legal basis for the delineation and demarcation of the Russian-Estonian border.

Georgia – Abkhaz and South Ossetian Peace Negotiations
PILPG is advising the Government of Georgia during its negotiations with Abkhazia on the future status of Abkhazia.

Iraq - Post-Conflict Constitution
PILPG is providing legal assistance to one of the primary parties participating in the negotiations to draft a new Iraqi Constitution. For more information, click here.

Kosovo – Rambouillet/Paris Peace Negotiations
PILPG served as legal and political counsel to the Kosovar Albanian delegation during the negotiation of the Rambouillet/Paris Accords. Two members of PILPG were accredited as members of the delegation and were present during the negotiations.

Kosovo – Final Status Negotiations
PILPG is advising the Kosovo government as it prepares for Final Status negotiations with the international community and likely independence.

Kosovo – Post-Conflict Constitution
PILPG is assisting the Kosovo government with the preparation of a post-conflict and post-final status constitution.

Liberia – Post-Conflict Constitution
PILPG is advising the Constitutional Advisory Committee for Liberia on the development of a new constitution providing for devolution of authority and the balance of powers.

Macedonia – Lake Ohrid Peace Negotiations
PILPG served as legal and political counsel to the Macedonian-Albanian political parties participating in the negotiation of the Skopje/Lake Ohrid Peace Accords. A member of PILPG was present in Tetevo and Skopje during the negotiations. PILPG subsequently advised the Macedonian government on the legality of their proposed referendum on territorial organization, which would have had the effect of undermining core elements of the Lake Ohrid Peace Agreement

Macedonia – International Recognition
PILPG advised the President of Macedonia on the options available to Macedonia in the UN to unblock the impasse over the use of the name “Republic of Macedonia.” At the request of the President a second memorandum was prepared outlining possible means for arbitrating the matter, or filing a case before the International Court of Justice. PILPG also prepared for Macedonia an extensive analysis of the Greek economic blockade against Macedonia arising out of the dispute concerning use of the name “Republic of Macedonia.”

Montenegro – Serbia/Montenegro Union Treaty
PILPG provided legal counsel to Montenegro during its negotiations with the Republic of Serbia over the future status of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Two members of PILPG were resident in Podgorica and traveled with the Montenegrin delegation to Belgrade for the constitutional negotiations.

Montenegro – State Secession
In accordance with Montenegro’s request for assistance on matters related to secession from Serbia, PILPG advised the Montenegrin government on defederation issues and methods for a referendum. PILPG is also advising on the creation of a new Association of Independent States for Montenegro and Serbia.

Philippines/Mindanao – Peace Negotiations
PILPG has provided legal assistance to the mediators involved in the Philippines-Mindanao conflict.

San Bushmen/Botswana – Negotiations to End Ethnic Cleansing
PILPG is advising the San Bushmen of Botswana on the matter of their displacement from their ancestral domain within the Kalahari Game Preserve and is facilitating their global engagement by following up on a complaint filed with the World Bank’s International Financial Corporation on their behalf.

Sudan – Peace Negotiations
PILPG provided legal advice to one of the primary parties to the Sudanese peace negotiations on matters relating to the creation of a joint military structure and for demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of paramilitary forces.

Somalia – Eldoret Peace Negotiations
PILPG advised a party to the Somalia peace talks in Eldoret and Nairobi, Kenya. PILPG advised on matters concerning a cease-fire; constitutional structures; refugee return; protection of human rights; the demobilization, decommissioning, and reintegration of former combatants; economic development; the establishment of a World Bank trust fund; and environmental matters. For more information, click here.

Sultan of Borneo – Territorial Negotiations with Malaysia
In accordance with the Sultanate’s request for pro bono assistance, PILPG proposed and created outlines for memoranda on arbitration options and legal claims for the Sultanate of Borneo.

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