Estelle Gitta
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© Editions Eclectica 2006-2009
Terror and Humiliation
How do we deal with feelings of humiliation when they become overwhelming? How can we prevent humiliated people taking revenge on defenceless victims? Joint authors Gilbert Holleufer and Philippe Cotter provide new insights into these pressing issues, in a world thrown off balance by the demise of the great ideological blocs and by the 9/11 attacks.
The first part of the book examines the role that feelings of humiliation play in armed conflicts (Afghanistan, Israel / Palestine, Bosnia). It is based on the Harvard Reports following the People On War survey commissioned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1999.
"Beyond the diversity of their war experiences, the witness accounts we have examined reveal a process of psychological degradation common to all contemporary civil wars. In a community disintegrating under the onslaught of war-related violence, non-violent alternatives and hopes of a better future that would help to counteract violence simply do not exist. The illusory remedy of revenge, instead of healing wounded pride, serves only to exacerbate it in repeated conflicts that have no peace objective or social aim."
Terror and Humiliation, p.43
© Editions ECLECTICA, 2010
8 Suburbs and hillsides around Bogota.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
9 A camp for displaced persons whose homes and families have been affected by the war (outside Medellin).
© ICRC /Fred Clarke, 1998
10 A camp for displaced persons (outside Medellin). When it rains very hard, the houses fall down the hill.
© ICRC / Fred Clarke, 1998
11 Children walk along a road through a camp for displaced persons (outside Medellin).
© ICRC / Fred Clarke, 1998
12 Manuel talks about how he lost his leg after the guerrilla entered his hometown. He was shot in the leg and later lost the leg due to infection.
© ICRC / Fred Clarke, 1998
People On War
Colombia
Selection of photographs taken during the People On War survey commissioned by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This large-scale consultation, involving 14.000 interviewees and 100 focus discussion groups, was carried out in twelve conflict zones to mark the 50th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions in 1999.
Photos selected by Philippe COTTER and Estelle GITTA
1 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion about international humanitarian law. The soldiers are members of the ELN.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
2 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
3 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
4 West of Medellin. Comandante José MarÃa is interviewed while his group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion about international humanitarian law.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
5 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
6 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
7 West of Medellin. A group of rebel fighters participate in a group discussion.
© ICRC / P. Grabhorn, 1998
"Violence, even in cases of blatant injustice, has to respect certain basic rules. Revolutionary violence can provide dynamic social impetus only if it is limited in intensity and frequency. Extreme violence is always illegitimate and invariably leads to disintegration and chaos."
Terror and Humiliation, p.70
© Editions ECLECTICA, 2010