Mediation

Our research review includes 138 reports: 7 that address the effects of mediation on mass atrocities and 134 that address the effects of mediation on closely related outcomes, such as civilian killings, human rights violations, and conflict recurrence. It found the following:

• A mix of findings as to whether mediation was effective in helping prevent mass atrocities or closely related outcomes, and 
• Relatively strong evidence on the association between a number of factors and greater effectiveness of mediation in helping prevent mass atrocities or closely related outcomes.
  • Design factors associated most strongly with mediation success include international support or coordination; a high degree of commitment; a mediator with strong leverage; an unbiased mediator or mediation process; and the absence of multiple competitive mediators.
  • Other design factors that were associated with mediation success include addressing root causes of the conflict; pursuing mediation concurrently with other atrocity prevention tools; a well-informed or well-connected mediator; early implementation; a directive strategy; the mediator having a cohesive agenda; and an experienced mediator.
  • Contextual factors that were associated with mediation success include the conflict being ripe for resolution; a low-intensity conflict; a foundation of compromise and trust between conflict parties; the parties to the mediation being cohesive or internally unified; domestic cooperation or consent with the mediation; the existence of a stalemate; and local support for the mediation.