Pashtun Jirga and prospects of peace and conflict resolution in Pakistan’s ‘tribal’ frontier

ABSTRACT

There is growing recognition and appreciation of traditional approaches towards peace and conflict resolution across the world. This article aims to highlight the crucial role and consequential importance of traditional mechanisms of peace and conflict resolution in Pakistan’s terror-hit Pashtun ‘tribal’ areas, formerly known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). These ‘peripheral’ areas of Pashtun tribes stand in relative isolation from the ‘centre’ of the Pakistani ruling establishment. Moreover, with the onset of militancy since 2001 in the Afghanistan–Pakistan region, the situation has turned worse for the local Pashtun tribes. The article discusses the changing role of traditional mechanisms and local structures of peace and conflict resolution, arguing that colonial legacies have failed to prevent, manage, resolve or transform conflicts in post-colonial states such as Pakistan. Furthermore, the Pashtun cultural code of Pashtunwali, along with its various tenets and structures, especially Jirga (Pashtun tribal council) and Lashkar (tribal militia), is also discussed in the article. The article concludes that the changing socio-political situation, along with the rise of the secular Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), is presenting a challenge to ‘tribal’ Pashtun patriarchal values as well as traditional structures like Jirga in the region.     

Use of Eucalyptus DNA profiling in a case of illegal logging

Eucalyptus is grown world-wide for paper pulp, solid wood, and other industries. Theft or illegal cutting of the trees causes hardship to owners of plantations and countries whose economies rely on the sale and export of eucalyptus products. Unfortunately, many of these crimes go unpunished due to lack of forensic evidence.Over 1200 short tandem repeat (STR) markers have been identified in the genomes of genus Eucalyptus and related species. However, their importance and utility in aiding forensic investigations of wood theft have not been explored. This study evaluated nine STRs for diversity and applied them to a case involving suspected wood theft.As expected, three dinucleotide STR markers showed greater variability but resulted in harder to interpret profiles. Four STR tetranucleotide markers evaluated in this study were found to contain additional repeat structures (dinucleotide or trinucleotide) that enhanced their variability but resulted in profiles with peaks at multiple stutter positions and heterozygote peak imbalance. The most promising STR markers were EGM37 and EMBRA 1374. Though less variable, they yielded robust and reproducible DNA profiles.All nine STR markers were applied to a case involving suspected wood theft. Samples were collected from seized wood and from remaining stumps in a plantation. No DNA match was found, thus eliminating the evidence samples as having originated from the forest. Dendrochronology analysis also resulted in an exclusion. This case study represents the first report using STR markers in any eucalyptus species to provide DNA evidence in a case of suspected wood theft.     

互联网治理语境下的刑事法治发展路径

互联网时代网络犯罪不断升级转型,危害严重。基于传统犯罪规律而建立的现有刑事法治体系,在应对滋生蔓延的互联网犯罪方面呈现出疲软乏力之势,难以有效发挥遏制互联网犯罪扩张的功能。因此,我们必须深刻把握互联网犯罪的基本规律,全面检视现有刑事法治在应对互联网犯罪方面的缺憾,在保障互联网健康发展与实现互联网治理同步进行的基础上,从观念、规范、运行等方面进行全方位反思,以实现对互联网犯罪的有效治理。     

论想象竞合犯的若干问题

想象竞合犯是非数罪形态之一 ,虽然我国现行刑法中并没有想象竞合犯的明文规定 ,但理论上普遍承认这种犯罪形态。想象竞合犯在理论上 ,应承认异种想象竞合犯为宜 ;其法律性质作为科刑上的一罪来理解比较恰当 ;在想象竞合犯的情况下 ,行为人主观上实际是具有数个罪过。     

全球化与人类犯罪

全球化是我们这个时代最重要的特征之一,它改善了人类生存和发展的条件,极大的推动了人类社会的进步。同时,也不可否认全球化对人类生存发展所产生的副作用。以经济为基础的全球化,导致犯罪的因素更加多样化,拓宽了犯罪空间,促进了犯罪的全球化。     

冷战期间缅甸的中立外交政策

独立后的缅甸一直奉行独立自主的中立外交政策,在与中美苏三大国的关系上表现的尤为突出。冷战期间,缅甸与三大国的外交关系有以下特点:其一,缅甸与三大国都基本上保持着正常的关系,没有产生大的矛盾和冲突;其二,不与任何大国结盟,从不倒向任何一方。其三,在与三大国的关系中,缅中关系显得更为密切,但两国仍属于正常的国家关系,并没有结成同盟。总的来说,缅甸的对外政策确实是中立和不结盟的。     

构建以内部会计控制为核心的企业内部控制体系

内部控制混乱为犯罪分子提供了可乘之机,诱发了大量的经济犯罪,同时阻碍了我国经济的快速发展。因此,完善内部控制是遏制经济犯罪发生的一个必要手段,也是企业实现管理现代化和价值最大化经营目标的有力保障。构建以内部会计控制为核心的内部控制体系势在必行。     

Feminist Perspectives on 9/11

In this article I offer a feminist analysis of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. I demonstrate how gendered discourses are used in this and other conflict situations to reinforce mutual hostilities. I suggest that men's association with war–fighting and national security serves to reinforce their legitimacy in world politics while it acts to create barriers for women. Using the framework of a post–9/11 world, I offer some alternative models of masculinity and some cultural representations less dependent on the subordination of women. Often in times of conflict women are seen only as victims. I outline some ways in which the women of Afghanistan are fighting against gender oppression and I conclude with some thoughts on their future prospects.     

惩办职务犯罪适用从重原则与刑法平等原则之关系研究

从重原则是惩办职务犯罪所提倡的 ,职务犯罪与非职务犯罪虽有所区别 ,但按照刑法平等原则 ,在追究职务犯罪刑事责任时 ,不应因犯罪人的特殊身份而发生改变或增减。公私不平等观念影响着刑法平等原则在惩办职务犯罪中的贯彻。     

浅论辅助生殖犯罪及其法律防范

伴随着辅助生殖技术的诞生 ,许多社会问题得到了解决。然而 ,因该技术而引发的犯罪却也接踵而至 ,从而促使我们去寻求相应的策略。为了防范这类犯罪 ,作者认为 ,应在我国刑法中设立辅助生殖罪 ,并规定相应的法律责任。本文分析了这一建议的必要性 ,并对该罪在我国刑法中的构建提出了一些建议。