The world’s mounting crises — from conflict and violence in Sudan, Myanmar, and Haiti, to democratic backsliding globally — share a common root: the weakening and collapsing of justice systems that should protect ordinary people.
When these systems fail, societies are left without peaceful means to resolve disputes or defend their rights. Instead of de-escalating tensions, the absence of justice fuels instability.
Many violent conflicts and rising polarization are, in fact, rooted in a deep feeling of exclusion and systemic unfairness. When the rule of law is under siege and access to justice is denied, grievances go unresolved, and people feel shut out of the systems meant to protect them. In turn, this erodes trust in institutions, deepening inequalities and creating fertile ground for violence. As the landmark 2018 “Pathways for Peace” report stresses, “security and justice institutions that operate fairly and in alignment with the rule of law are essential to preventing violence and sustaining peace.”
About the author
Fernando Marani
Fernando Marani is the program director of justice, inclusion, and equality at NYU’s Center on International Cooperation. A former Argentine diplomat, he has over 20 years of experience in multilateral diplomacy, international law, and human rights, including senior roles at the U.N. General Assembly and global forums on justice and anti-corruption.
