Constitution building is a key component of democratization processes and a fundamental basis for safeguarding human, civil and political rights. Constitutions can be a powerful means of conflict management and violence prevention. The making of constitutions in contexts of protracted violence or in countries emerging from civil war and dictatorship is particularly delicate because it strives to establish a functioning state with institutions that no longer fuel violence and repression.
International IDEA supports inclusive and participatory processes of constitution building that allow the design and implementation of constitutional options as an instrument of promoting democracy and resolving conflict. In this context, the Democracy, Conflict and Security initiative is working to better understand the linkages between constitutional arrangements and the functioning, governance and accountability of the security sector.
