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Fight for Humanity is delighted to share its 2023 Annual Report . In 2023, Fight for Humanity and its partners:   Undertook a participatory action research with three key armed and political movements or entities from northern and southern Yemen to understand the factors that can encourage them to promote the protection and participation rights of women and girls.   Conducted a campaign through events, online campaigns, and advocacy to raise awareness on the final report of the truth commission notably its chapters on the protection of women and children and its recommendations, in two municipalities of the Cauca department in Colombia. 
Took protection measures for more than 200 mosaics in a warehouse near Raqqa and documented more than 1000 artefacts in the Manbij area, in Syria.  
Conducted awareness-raising sessions for more than 500 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Internal Security Forces and the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria on the prohibition to recruit underage children 
Implemented activities to reinforce the peace process between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN after the name in Spanish) on two topics, gender and environment.    In 2024, Fight for Humanity is continuing its operations in several countries affected by armed conflict and violence including Colombia, Syria and Yemen and has defined a new strategy for the coming four years. The organization will reinforce its work on child’s rights, women’s rights, cultural rights, social cohesion and expand on two more topics: the rights to a healthy environment and food security. It will also reinforce its presence in its country of operations and extend to other countries where it can bring an added value.   Fight for Humanity would like to thank the members of its Committee , Advisory Council and, Associate experts  who are a precious help and its donors, supporters and partners, who make its work possible.   Fight for Humanity 2023 Annual Report and Audit report can be downloaded below:

Fight for Humanity and Berghof Foundation, are pleased to release their research report “ Empowerment lies within: Opportunities and challenges for the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Framework by Political Movements in Yemen ”. This research has involved three key political movements or entities: the Islah Party, the Southern Transitional Council, and Ansar Allah to better understand the factors that encourage these movements to promote and implement the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Framework, especially the protection and participation of women and girls in situations of conflict.    From April to December 2023, local researchers and Fight for Humanity conducted almost 50 interviews with leaders and members of the three political movements in Yemen, civil society organizations and activists. “Despite generally low levels of women’s participation in leadership in Yemen, the research revealed that women are active participants in the political, economic, and security processes of the three movements surveyed” said Anki Sjöberg from Fight for Humanity. The research also found that efforts to promote the participation and protection of Yemeni women and girls were most effective when they were integrated into a local context and deeply internalized by both men and women in the movements . Challenges were identified such as the lack of regulations and bylaws on the protection of women in times of conflict and a list a of recommendations has been drawn for each movement. The research also led to a policy brief  that provides specific recommendations for how international actors operating in and on Yemen can enhance support for WPS policies and practices through engagement with political movements . A short video  analyzing the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of the WPS framework by political movements in Yemen has also been created.  The research report can be read below by chapter:                 English version Arabic version Introduction                                                           Research findings (Islah Party) Research findings (STC) Research findings (Ansar Allah) Conclusions Introduction                                      Research findings (Islah Party) Research findings (STC) Research findings (Ansar Allah) Conclusions

Fight for Humanity is starting a new phase of its project "Gesture of Peace" aiming to strengthen the capacity for dialogue, participation, coexistence and reconciliation of the key actors in three municipalities affected by armed conflict in the Cauca department in Colombia. This project follows a first pilot phase implemented in 2023 jointly with its partner Gestos de Paz that raised awareness and built ownership of the recommendations from the Truth Commission Final Report in two municipalities, Cajibío and Popayán in the Cauca department. This second phase , supported by the City of Geneva, will involve key local, social, economic and political actors to design, identify and promote peace agendas and three local initiatives for coexistence, peace and reconciliation. Fight for Humanity and Gestos de Paz will continue to raise awareness, disseminate and inform the population about the report’s recommendations and the project’s actions.     In addition to this project and since June 2023, Fight for Humanity, in partnership with Berghof Foundation , has also conducted activities to support the peace process between the Government of Colombia and the National Liberation Army (ELN) on two topics:  environment and women’s participation in the peace process .

Fight for Humanity is pleased to announce that it is part of a consortium to research ways to prevent civilian suffering in armed conflicts. The " Beyond Compliance Consortium ", is comprised of academics and practitioners led by the University of York and has been awarded up to £5 million to research ways to prevent and reduce civilian suffering in armed conflicts around the world. It is a co-productive partnership between the University of York , the University of Glasgow, Utrecht University, and six humanitarian NGOs, Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, War Child UK, Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Centre on Armed Groups and Fight for Humanity. The research is focused on civilians' experience of conflict and the relationship between humanitarian need and civilian harm, and armed actors’ compliance with norms and restraint from violence. Developed over three years (a theoretical, empirical, and operational research programme " Building Evidence on Promoting Restraint by Armed Actors ."), it will provide strategic understanding of what factors, processes and influences shape a wide range of armed actors’ behaviour. The goal is to develop tangible and positive ways to influence these behaviours so as to ensure better outcomes for civilian populations . During conflict, civilians fall victim to all sorts of weapon use, displacement, food insecurity and violations of Human Rights. The Beyond Compliance Consortium's programme will shed light on how States and non-state armed groups operate. Understanding this can be a valuable tool for policy-makers, operational actors, and civilian communities that they can employ in their efforts to mitigate conflict-induced civilian harm .

Since May 2023, Fight for Humanity, with the support of the ALIPH Foundation and in partnership with its local partner, Orient Association, has been working to protect 200 valuable mosaic panels in Raqqa and to document thousands of artefacts in Manbij with the objective to promote this invaluable heritage for peace and reconciliation.   The team started with the securitization of a warehouse that hosts around 200 mosaic panels near Raqqa. Before the war, this warehouse used to host thousands of artefacts, that were all stolen with the exception of these 200 mosaic panels, some of which were vandalized . After these emergency measures the team took conservation measures: they were identified and placed in 5 allocated areas and were then distributed based on their place of discovery. Once the sorting and extraction were complete, the panels were photographed, and the scenes depicted were studied and described. Data specific to each panel, including measurements, the overall condition, were also recorded. In addition, the team documented more than 800 artefacts from Menbij since last August. Some of the artefacts were confiscated and secured by the SDF and some others were found by people coincidentally and then handed over to the administration. These documentations provide a better understanding and the preservation of the cultural and historical significance they hold. Moreover, the Orient Association conducted 10 dissemination sessions for the security forces, that focused on strategies to combat illicit trafficking and protection of cultural heritage. In the recent week, as part of our commitment to the project's continued success, Fight for Humanity retained an external consultant to evaluate the progress achieved over the last three years. The monitoring visit was concluded in October.

On 31 October, Fi ght for Humanity intervened on a panel on “Engaging Armed Groups on Environmental Protection and Climate Change” during the Geneva Peace Week .  A group of experts, including Anastasia Isyuk, Operations Manager for Climate and Environment at the International Committee of the Red Cross; Anki Sjöberg, Co-Director at Fight For Humanity; Leigh Mayhew, Research Officer at ODI and Pascal Bongard, Co-Director at the Centre on Armed Groups explored ways for involving armed groups in tackling climate change and environmental issues. Non-state armed groups, with their significant influence and presence in conflict zones, can disrupt environmental sustainability with the use of certain weapons, destruction of natural sites and exacerbate climate change impacts.   On the other hand they can also have a protective role to play . Due to their (political and economic) isolation, they tend to be aware of the limited and finite resources at their disposal. Hence, some groups have taken it upon themselves to develop their own protective measures. For example, setting up specific institutions to deal with environmental issues and regulating finite resources such as fish, game, water, forest, etc.   As Anki Sjöberg mentioned : “ understanding the role that NSAGs are already playing in environmental protection, for better or worse, can help us foresee and mitigate additional or increased environmental deterioration after the end of conflict. We must understand that NSAGs can have simultaneous negative and positive impacts on the environment, as seen with the FARC in Colombia. Failure to do so may cost us—and the environment—dearly in the future.”    The event was organized by the Center on Armed groups and featured speakers from the International Committee of the Red Cross, ODI, and the Center on Armed groups.

Fight for Humanity jointly with the Berghof Foundation have initiated a new project phase in Myanmar, Yemen and at a global level, in their efforts to support the protection of women during conflict and increase their participation in peacebuilding efforts in areas under the control of armed movements. This phase follows a first pilot project in Myanmar . With this new phase, the organizations facilitated dialogues with two ethnic resistance organizations (EROs) in Myanmar on their policies and practices related to the protection of women in the conflict and their participation in peacebuilding , following-up on recommendations from the previous project cycle. Participants of these dialogue sessions are women and men who are part of or live in areas influenced by the two EROs. In Yemen, a country hardly hit by armed conflict, participatory action research with three armed and political movements from northern and southern Yemen is currently undertaken to understand the factors that can encourage them to promote the protection and participation rights of women and girls. “The participation of women in peacebuilding is essential to build a lasting peace, as emerging research shows. But to be able to participate in this process, they need to be better protected during the conflict” says Anki Sjoeberg, Fight for Humanity’s Co-Director. In September, the two organizations also conducted a Global Workshop on Women Peace and Security with key stakeholders and representatives of Governments to discuss how to better enable the international policy community to support the implementation of the Women Peace and Security Agenda in conflict affected areas where armed and political movements hold large territories or political power.

In May 2023, Fight for Humanity and its partner Gestos de Paz started a project to raise awareness and build ownership of the recommendations from the Truth Commission report  in two municipalities of the Cauca department in Colombia, Cajibio and Popayan that have been severely affected by the conflict. In the two municipalities, Gestos de Paz organized two events in July and August gathering more than 212 participants including politicians, leaders from social movements, indigenous peoples, women, youth, medias, ex-combatants. These events, called “Dialogues for the ownership of truth and the construction of peace,” focused on four chapters of the Truth Commission report:  The historical narrative of the conflict, women’s rights, children rights, and the recommendations to avoid repetition of violence. “Many people, out of fear, do not tell the truth, said one participant but as another participant declared: “truth is essential to not repeat history.” In many rural areas affected by conflict, the Truth Commission and its final report remain unknown. According to Mabel Andrade from Gestos de Paz, “Despite the signature of the Peace Agreement in 2016, armed violence is still ongoing in many parts of the country, including here in Cauca. We need to keep working to raise awareness on the realities of the conflict to avoid repetition.” In addition to these dialogues, a meeting with the candidates for the position of regional Governor took place in September in which they were asked to explain their views on how to better implement the recommendations of the Truth Commission. “It is important that politicians commit to these recommendations, we cannot lose another generation to a new cycle of violence” says a leader from the municipality of Cajibio. The Truth Commission is one of the three institutions that make up the Colombian Comprehensive System of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Non-Repetition created under the 2016 peace agreement. It has worked to shed light on five decades of atrocities and human rights violations committed during the country’s armed conflict and through its report, it promotes recommendations to avoid repetition of the conflict.

INVITATION Telling the truth: Creating the conditions for a lasting peace in Colombia 10 October 15:00 to 16:00 CET – Palais des Nations in Geneva - Room XXV & online Side event at the 54th session of the Human Rights Council The event co-sponsors, Ireland, Colombia and Fight for Humanity are pleased to invite you to a panel discussion to reflect on the concrete challenges to the implementation of the Truth Commission’s recommendations in Colombia and explore possible ways of overcoming them. The event will be in English and Spanish. On 13th July 2023, the Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted Resolution A/HRC/53/L.25/Rev.1 on the enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity-building in the field of human rights in Colombia to implement the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition, reflecting the need to strengthen the implementation of these recommendations. Since May 2023, Fight for Humanity and its partner, Gestos de Paz, have implemented a project, with the support of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, to facilitate the appropriation of these recommendations in two municipalities of Cauca in Colombia, Popayan and Cajibío. These two municipalities are located in areas severely affected by the conflict. Agenda and speakers Introduction: H.E. Mr Gustavo Gallón, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Colombia · Martín Nates, Director of the NGO Justapaz · Mabel Andrade, Founder of the NGO Gestos de Paz, online · Francisco de Roux, former President of the Truth Commission, online Conclusion : Ms. Eimear McDermott, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Ireland Q&A session To join through Webex: https://ungeneva-vc.webex.com/ungeneva-vc/j.php?MTID=mb6c99c8d01dcb12a0cf94df07be88b10 Meeting number: 2740 685 3186 Password: HVpKqH2mp47 Join by video system, Dial 27406853186@ungeneva-vc.webex.com

Fight for Humanity is pleased to release its 2022 Annual Report. In 2022, Fight for Humanity and its partners: Conducted a research study on the protection and participation of women in conflict zones in Myanmar. Provided support to 650 children in detention in Syria. Contributed to the promotion of greater social cohesion between ethno-religious communities in Northern Iraq, including the Mosul area. Led initiatives to end the recruitment of children in Syria. Promoted the protection of cultural heritage in Syria as a means of fostering peaceful coexistence among communities. Supported a demining organization in Senegal with their conflict analysis. Supported other like-minded organizations in their endeavors. In 2023, we have been operating in Syria, Iraq, Colombia, Myanmar, and Yemen. 2023 will conclude the cycle of our first strategic plan, which was defined in 2019. This plan aimed to develop Fight for Humanity into an organization capable of making a positive difference for populations living in areas of armed conflict. While not all objectives have been fully achieved, the organization has experienced four years of positive development, despite the challenges of two years of global pandemics. With a new strategy cycle beginning in 2024, the organization aims to continue promoting human rights, primarily in areas under the control or influence of non-state armed actors, particularly those that are crucial for building lasting peace: children's and women's rights, cultural rights, freedom of expression, and environmental protection. We hope you will enjoy reading this Annual Report , and we would like to express our gratitude to our donors, supporters, and partners who make our work possible. You can download our 2022 Annual Report and Audit Report below:

In the first three months of 2023 ten local peace agreements were signed within the framework of the project “Empowerment and Engagement of Community Mechanisms with Local Authorities to Promote Social Cohesion”. In this project supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of the Netherlands, a consortium of three partner organizations, Public Aid Organization (PAO), the Alliance of Iraqi Minorities (AIM), and Fight for Humanity have worked together to empower and engage local authorities and communities to promote social cohesion between different ethno-religious communities. The project was initiated in 2022 and focused on twelve locations in the Ninewa and Kirkuk governorates in Northern Iraq. The consortium first worked to build the capacity of local authorities, police and security personnel, community and tribal members and leaders, elders and clerics on conflict analysis, positive peacebuilding, dialogue, and mediation. Following dialogue and mediation sessions, the project also led to the signature of ten local peace agreements in ten locations, namely, Baaj, Bashiqa, Hamdaniya, Hatra, Haweja, Mosul, Snuni and Talkif. These agreements seek to identify principles and mechanisms that will help to promote social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. In each location, the community, government, religious and tribal representatives identified local problems or conflicts that concerned the various parties, and through dialogue and mediation sessions, they came up with common solutions and principles to address them. These principles and solutions were formalized in a local peace agreement that was signed by the representatives during official ceremonies in the ten locations. Issues such as the return of families associated with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the improvement of social cohesion, the rules and principles to form new administrative units or the prevention of hate speech and violent extremism were addressed. The consortium hopes that these local peace agreements can serve as an example of concrete action that can support social cohesion in post conflict areas.

Fight for Humanity and Berghof Foundation are pleased to announce the release of the policy brief : "Opportunities and Challenges for the Implementation of the Women, Peace & Security Agenda in Areas Controlled by Armed and Political Movements". It follows the publication of the research report that analyses the practices, policies, and challenges of two Ethnic Resistance Organisations (EROs) from Myanmar on women’s protection in conflict and their participation in the EROs and in peace building processes. Over the course of 6 months, the research team conducted 47 interviews with the leaders of the two movements – the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the Karen National Union (KNU) - but also associated civil society organisations, women activists, as well as external stakeholders. A video, “ Women on the Margins ” was also prepared following these interviews. “Ethnic resistance organisations like the KNPP and the KNU have a key role to play in improving the protection of women in the current conflict in Myanmar . This will only be possible if more women have access to key and leadership roles within the movements themselves. But there needs to be a better understanding that women’s protection is a joint responsibility between both men and women”, says Anki Sjöberg, Fight for Humanity’s Co-Director and co-author of the research. The research offers a set of recommendations for the international community and for the leaders of the two movements. While recognizing the efforts made, it highlights the necessity of encouraging inclusive discussion among conservative members to change their perceptions of women. It also stresses the importance for the EROs to further develop and implement policies on Women, Peace, and Security, with a particular emphasis on policies and measures related to protection. The project team shared the research findings with the two movements who expressed their support to its main recommendations. “In the end, the two EROs have been vocal in recognizing the importance to progress in making women more present at the highest levels of the movement” says Boke Boke, lead author of the research. “This is very positive, and we hope the research will be a strong push to make a difference for women in the conflict.” The methodology was also key in the success of this research: “We worked with two insider experts who are close to the two movements, they participated in each stage of the research, design, collection of data and analysis. It helped to build trust with the EROs, to collect the relevant information and to have a deep understanding of the movements’ internal dynamics when analysing the data. ” says Veronique Dudouet, Senior Research Adviser at Berghof Foundation. Fight for Humanity and Berghof Foundation will launch a new project in 2023 to support the implementation of the recommendations with the EROs in Myanmar. It will also extend the research to other armed and political movements in Yemen and the global context. Download the Research Report in English here and in Burmese here . Download the Policy Brief in English here and in Burmese here . Watch the video here . This project is supported by German Federal Foreign Office