The Construction of the Customary Law of Peace: Latin America and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

This thought-provoking book explores the emerging construction of a customary law of peace in Latin America and the developing jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It traces the evolution of peace as both an end and a means: from a negative form, i.e. the absence of violence, to a positive form that encompasses equality, non-discrimination and social justice, including gendered perspectives on peace.

Cecilia M. Bailliet offers an overview of the normative and institutional development of peace in Latin America, before examining the heterogeneous iterations of peace within Latin American constitutions and the pluralistic views of current and former judges in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The book argues that these national variants should be in accordance with the American Convention on Human Rights and related instruments as a minimum framework, and should be interpreted in pursuit of the pro homine principle, in which the most favourable law is applied to benefit individuals regardless of its origin or status. It also presents an overview of the historic protest marches of 2019 and the phenomenon of oppressive peace tactics by the State.

This book will be critical reading for scholars and students of peace studies, human rights, Latin American studies, gender studies, constitutional and international public law, and legal history. It will also be of interest for policy makers and peace practitioners both in Latin America and beyond.