Fazlurrashed S. Paslangan, Laniel Ryan P. Untong

The Influence of International Legal Frameworks on Peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro Region: An Assesament of Acceptance, Perception, and Application

Introduction

The influence of international legal frameworks on peacebuilding in the bangsamoro region: an assesament of acceptance, perception, and application. Explore how IHL, IHRL, & Islamic Law shape Bangsamoro peacebuilding. Study leaders' views on global standards, local faith, & practical application for sustainable peace.

Abstract

This study explores how International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL), and Islamic Law intertwine to shape peacebuilding in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Drawing on deep-dive interviews with eight influential leaders from state security forces, non-state armed groups, and regional governance bodies, the research uncovers a complex legal landscape where global standards meet deeply rooted faith. The findings reveal that while international frameworks are respected for their operational utility in limiting conflict and building trust, Islamic Law remains the heartbeat of the region’s identity and the primary lens through which justice is understood. This acceptance, however, exists in a delicate balance—it is "identity-driven" yet "conditional," navigating the boundaries of the Philippine Constitution and the practicalities of regional autonomy. On the ground, this manifests in fascinating hybrid systems: non-state actors maintain discipline through religious guidance (Mursidin) and Sharia-based boards, while the regional government champions "Moral Governance" to align state duties with spiritual values. Ultimately, the study highlights that for human rights and humanitarian principles to truly take root, they must be contextualized within local religious and cultural narratives. By recommending the harmonization of these legal systems, the strengthening of Sharia courts, and community-led education, the research argues that the path to sustainable peace and social cohesion in Bangsamoro lies in honoring the resonance between international law and the Islamic faith to protect the dignity of every individual.

Review

This study offers a timely and insightful exploration into the intricate interplay of International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, and Islamic Law in shaping peacebuilding initiatives within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Employing a robust qualitative methodology through deep-dive interviews with key influential leaders spanning state security forces, non-state armed groups, and regional governance, the research successfully unpacks the complex legal landscape where global standards must navigate deeply rooted local faith and identity. The paper effectively sets out to assess the acceptance, perception, and practical application of these frameworks, providing a nuanced understanding of their concurrent influence on the region's trajectory towards sustainable peace. The core strength of the research lies in its unveiling of a "complex legal landscape" where international frameworks are acknowledged for their operational utility in mitigating conflict and fostering trust, yet Islamic Law undeniably serves as the fundamental bedrock of regional identity and the primary lens through which justice is comprehended. The finding that acceptance of international principles is "identity-driven" yet "conditional" on constitutional boundaries and regional autonomy is a particularly valuable contribution, highlighting the pragmatic adaptations required in real-world peace processes. The study effectively illustrates this through concrete examples, such as non-state actors' reliance on religious guidance and Sharia-based boards, and the regional government's championing of "Moral Governance," thereby demonstrating how hybrid systems of justice and governance are forged on the ground. Ultimately, this study makes a compelling case for the imperative of contextualizing universal human rights and humanitarian principles within local religious and cultural narratives for them to genuinely take root. Its recommendations—the harmonization of legal systems, strengthening of Sharia courts, and community-led education—are not only well-supported by the empirical findings but also provide actionable pathways for policymakers and practitioners. By emphasizing the critical importance of honoring the resonance between international law and Islamic faith, the research provides a sophisticated framework for protecting individual dignity and achieving lasting social cohesion in Bangsamoro, offering significant theoretical and practical implications for peacebuilding efforts in other religiously and culturally diverse post-conflict settings.

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