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Mediation
Overview of the Evidence
Our research review includes 88 reports: 7 that address the effects of mediation on mass atrocities and 84 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 several design factors and greater effectiveness of mediation in helping prevent mass atrocities.
- We found the strongest evidence that international support or coordination and the mediator having strong leverage were associated with mediation success.
- Other factors supported by relatively strong evidence include pursuing mediation concurrently with other atrocity prevention tools; the mediation addressing root causes of the conflict; and the mediator being well-informed about the drivers of the conflict.
About Mediation
Definition
Mediation is “a process of conflict management where disputants seek the assistance of, or accept an offer of help from, an individual, group, state or organization to settle their conflict or resolve their differences without resorting to physical force or invoking the authority of law” (Bercovitch et al. 1991, p. 8).
Theory of Change
If mediation helps prevent or end an armed conflict, it would reduce the likelihood of mass atrocities because armed conflict is the strongest risk factor for mass atrocities (Bellamy 2011; Straus 2016).