Peacebuilding and reintegrating ex combatants with disabilities

Abstract

There is a significant gap in post-conflict reintegration processes when it comes to excombatants with disabilities, notwithstanding an apparent acknowledgement that physical and mental trauma impact civilians and ex-combatants alike in large numbers and that social reintegration is vital to peaceful transitions. Moreover, processes aimed to reintegrate ex-combatants are typically disconnected from broader efforts to build and sustain the legal institutions that support the rights of the most marginalised groups in conflict affected countries. We examine the implications of this marginalisation of ex-combatants with disabilities and set our analysis within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.