ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to capture what 'rule of law' entails in a post-conflict setting. The establishment of Partnership Arrangements and a Rule of Law Trust Fund could serve as practical mechanisms for Member States and external entities to provide – in a hopefully more coordinated and timely manner – voluntary resources to help strengthen critical rule of law institutions of host countries. To most laypersons, UN peacekeeping has very little to do with anything other than the act of separating warring armies. The chapter mentions only a few of the many rule of law-related issues and related competencies that need to be considered in developing comprehensive rule of law strategies for peace operations. These issues, in fact, have been a priority concern for the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, Mr. Jean-Marie Guéhenno. The Secretary-General supported the recommendation to establish standby arrangements for the deployment of rule of law teams to peace operations.
