Tenders are invited for Customary Law Research in Yemen. Service: Research on Customary Laws in Yemen: Implications for Transitional Justice Process Design Posted: 03 Sep, 25 Deadline: 20 Sep, 25 The Sanaa Center invites qualified researchers and research teams to submit proposals for commissioned research on Yemeni customary laws and traditional practices of mediation and conflict resolution. Proposals should meet the requirements of this call and align with the set criteria and evaluation guidelines. Multidisciplinary applications are encouraged, with preference given to proposals combining expertise in customary laws, transitional justice, and legal frameworks. The selected applicant(s) will conduct field research in up to four regions of Yemen, using rigorous, transparent, and conflict-sensitive methods that ensure credibility, inclusiveness, and ethical integrity. The study will provide a comparative analysis of customary laws and mediation practices and deliver policy-relevant recommendations for transitional justice in Yemen. The Sanaa Center will support the process through regular consultations and reviews to ensure quality and alignment with program objectives. Background: The Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies is an independent think-tank that seeks to foster change through knowledge production with a focus on Yemen and the surrounding region. The Centers publications and programs, offered in both Arabic and English, cover political, social, economic, and security-related developments, aiming to impact policy locally, regionally, and internationally. Founded in 2014, the Sanaa Center is one of the few independent research centers that has continued to operate in Yemen throughout the ongoing conflict. While the Center maintains cordial relations with all key stakeholders, it has remained fiercely unaligned with any of the belligerent parties. The Center has thus maintained a unique position in the ability to work throughout Yemen and beyond. The Sanaa Centers Transitional Justice Program aims to shape processes rooted in local realities. As part of this, we are launching a study on Yemens customary laws and traditional practices of mediation and conflict resolution. The research will examine community justice mechanisms, their legitimacy, and effectiveness, while also identifying gaps and biases. Findings will inform the design of a future transitional justice process that builds on trusted practices, addresses shortcomings, and ensures victims remain at the center of an inclusive, locally grounded framework. Objective To examine customary laws and traditional practices of mediation and conflict resolution in Yemen, through comparative case studies in up to four regions, in order to understand their mechanisms, perceptions of legitimacy and acceptance, and the extent to which they provide recourse for harm. The study will also explore whether and how these practices relate to formal legal structures, how communities perceive and navigate between traditional and formal processes, and what this might mean for their potential integration into transitional justice (TJ) approaches. The goal is to identify opportunities and limitations with consideration to victim-centered approaches and core TJ principles. Points of Inquiry The following points of inquiry are indicative and may be refined or adjusted by the researcher in their proposal, based on their expertise and the feasibility of the study design: 1. Mapping Practices · Identify the main customary laws and traditional practices for mediation, conflict resolution, and accountability in the selected regions. · Explore how these practices differ or align across regions and communities. 2. Legitimacy and Perceptions · Examine how these practices are perceived in terms of legitimacy, fairness, and effectiveness by different groups (including victims, marginalized groups, women, and youth). · Assess the extent to which they are accepted as providing justice or redress for harm suffered. 3. Gaps and Biases · Investigate the gaps or limitations in these practices (e.g., inclusivity, representation of victims, accountability for serious violations). · Consider what biases may be embedded in them and how these affect access to justice for different groups. 4. Traditional vs. Formal Processes · Explore the relationship between customary/traditional practices and formal legal structures, and what this looks like in practice. · Assess how communities perceive and navigate between traditional and formal justice processes, and how these perceptions shape their attitudes and preferences for dispute resolution and access to justice. 5. Relevance to Transitional Justice · Analyze how these practices could inform the design of a locally grounded transitional justice process. · Consider how they can be adapted or scaled up while maintaining the core principles of transitional justice, particularly truth, accountability, inclusivity, and victim-centeredness. · Draw lessons for integrating traditional and formal approaches in the context of Yemens future transitional justice process. Tender Link : https://yemenhr.com/tenders
