Sexual violence in conflict zones is prohibited
The UN General Assembly’s 2015 resolution proclaimed 19 June as a day to condemn conflict-related sexual violence (International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict). These include rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy and enforced sterilization.
The term “conflict-related sexual violence” also considers the trafficking of women when committed in situations of conflict for the purpose of sexual violence or exploitation and includes victims of trafficking and sexual violence committed not only by states but also by terrorist groups.
On 19 June 2008 Security Council resolution 1820 was adopted. The document condemned sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peace building. Further, the Security Council adopted resolution S/RES/2331 (2016), it acknowledges the nexus between trafficking-sexual violence-terrorism and transnational organized crime.
Every year this day we spread awareness about these crimes to enforce all measures necessary for the prevention, protection and treatment of victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Most victims of such notorious crimes, are most likely to be civilian women and girls. Often they are left alone to face lasting physical and emotional damage in a culture of impunity. In conflict zones, women in general and journalists, activists, peacebuilders, and human rights defenders become subjected to reprisals and intimidation.
Currently, the Russian army weaponized sexual violence as a tactic of war, torture and terrorism. There are a dozen of cases that are being investigated by the law-enforcement bodies.
When analyzing the most recent conflicts in Syria and Tigray (in northern Ethiopia) it is believed that some cases go undocumented due to fear of reprisals and cultural stigma.
The 1949 Geneva Convention notes the need to protect the honor of women. The second additional protocol of 1977 to the Geneva Convention lists prohibitions which include “outrages against personal dignity, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault” at any time and any place when committed against persons who did not take part in hostilities. The Statute of the International Criminal Court includes rape and some other forms of sexual violence in the list of war crimes.
The written and customary body of International Humanitarian Law prohibits sexual violence. The infliction of sexual violence upon enemy civilians, combatants and persons accompanying them, along with POW (prisoners of war) is prohibited.
The costs of conflict are paid largely by women and girls. All cases of sexual violence should be reported, investigated and prosecuted.
We condemn and call for the end of conflict-related sexual violence.
We believe that the concern of eradicating these crimes going together with human development, education and human rights, disarmament must represent a qualitative shift in the interests of the international community.
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
* The orange color symbolizes a world free from violence.
