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Introduction: In a case of Iranian students being harrassed and attacked by white students in Oklahoma, the Iranian students did not understand the role of the local police and the laws that limited their involvement.


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Misunderstanding the Law
Nancy Ferrell
Former CRS Mediator, Dallas Office

[Full Interview]

You have to get them to a point where it's in their interest to come to the table. You have to come up with some reason. For example, in the community where the Iranian students were. Everybody I talked to, from the officials side, did not feel there was a problem. Not until I was able to point out that there was an economic reality. If I hadn't thought about that, I'm not sure that we'd have done anything except try to bring some referrals for the students in terms of getting some legal redress. There was some misunderstanding about what the US law's limitations and realities were. The Iranian students were expecting some things from the local police that they couldn't deliver. So that was a part of the dynamics then, the education. We also found out that the high school students didn't have a clear understanding of what law enforcement limits and responsibilities were. So we did some orientation with them as well as the Iranian students and the college students. Without some personal interest, they're not going to come to the table. Your job is to find out what's in their interest and try to point that out.

 
Compromise does not mean cowardice. -- John F. Kennedy

Featured Links
Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict
International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group

"The International Crisis Group (ICG) is an independent, non-profit, multinational organisation, with over 100 staff members on five continents, working through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict." (Quote from Website)

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Beyond Intractability
Peacebuilding Checklist: For Adversaries
Peacebuilding Checklist: Adversaries

A list of things to think about if you are involved in a difficult or damaging conflict.

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

Sean MacBride
Sean MacBride

Former President of the International Peace Bureau, former President of the Commission of Namibia, and 1974 Nobel Peace Laureate

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