FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY ENDING IMPUNITY FOR SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN CONFLICT AND POST-CONFLICT SETTINGS REPORT FROM CONFERENCE IN STOCKHOLM, 6/12 2011
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM, WILPF SWEDEN
FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY The aim of this report is to discuss critical obstacles for ending impunity for SGBV in conflict and post-conflict settings, and how they can be overcome. The conference was arranged by the Swedish section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in cooperation with the Swedish NGO Kvinna till Kvinna and Amnesty International (Sweden). The conference was arranged by the Swedish section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) in cooperation with Swedish NGO Kvinna till Kvinna and Amnesty International (Sweden). The aim of the conference was to bring together an international group of experts and women’s rights activists to share their experiences from working to combat SGBV impunity. The speakers were:
Veprore Shehu Executive Director, Medica Kosova
Yasmine Sherif Deputy Special Representative of the Administrator Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, UNDP
Lisa Gormley Legal Advisor International Law and Women’s Rights, Amnesty International
Maria Butler Programme Director, PeaceWomen/WILPF
Pia Hederén Detective Super Intendent, the Swedish Police
Annie Matundu Mbambi President of WILPF DR Congo
The conference also included workshops, during which the speakers discussed the issue of SGBV impunity with representatives from Swedish governmental agencies and NGOs. The workshop participants included, amongst others, representatives from the Swedish Foreign Ministry, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and Kvinna till Kvinna. The conference was financed by funding from Folke Bernadotte Academy “Fredsmiljonen”.
Combating impunity for sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) is a key issue in the implementation of the UN Women, Peace and Security agenda. Taken together, UNSCR 1325 (2000) and the following resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009), and 1960 (2010) all serve to strengthen the fight against SGBV in conflict and post-conflict settings. The Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, has identified “ending impunity” as one of her five priorities, in addition to: protecting and empowering war-affected women and girls, strengthening political commitment and leadership, re-thinking rape as a tactic of war and terror, and harmonizing and amplifying the response of the international community.
Previously published reports While the recommendations in this report draw mainly on the presentations and discussions that took place during the conference in Stockholm, they also encompass advice from a number of previously published reports relating to SGBV impunity. These are: Analytical & Conceptual Framing of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (summary) - UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict (UN Action), 2011 Team of Experts: Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict, Progress Report January-May 2011 - the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, 2011 Justice, Impunity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - International parliamentary-expert mission addressing impunity for sexual crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo 26 April-3 May 2008 - The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights & The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Great Lakes Region of Africa, 2008 Brief 43 - Towards a Typology of Wartime Rape - Elvan Isikozlu & Ananda S. Millar, Bonn International Center for Conversion, 2010 Why Women? Effective engagement for small arms control - IANSA Women’s Network, 2011 Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice - UN Women, 2011
FRAMEWORK AND DEFINITIONS
quite broad. Drawing on statutes and
women as agents of justice and change.
case law of the International Tribunals
The recognition of women as key agents
for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda,
in conflict resolution and peace work
A number of participants emphasi-
the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the
is further underlined in UNSCR 1889
zed the importance of framing the pro-
Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts
building on UNSCR 1325.
blem of SGBV adequately. The concept
of Cambodia, and the ICC Rome Statute,
relates to a broad scope of gendered
sexual violence is understood to include:
ticipants critically pointed to a tendency
violence, whereas the resolutions pas-
“rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution,
to equate the issue of SGBV in conflict
sed by the UNSC are narrower in their
forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization
and post-conflict settings with rape as
scope. The UN Action Steering Commit-
and any other form of sexual violence of
a weapon in war. While rape in conflict
tee has expressed that as gender-based
comparable gravity.” 2
and post-conflict settings threatens the
violence (GBV) includes for example
SCR 1820, 1888 and 1960 imply
security of girls and women in devas-
“the denial of economic resources”, it
strong commitments to combat conflict-
tating ways, actors engaged in fighting
is “an overly-broad category for 1960
related sexual violence and to end the
SGBV impunity must address the broad
reporting purposes.” 1 Women’s econo-
impunity for such violence. UNSCR 1888
spectrum of violations against women. In
mic rights, their rights to move freely
established a Special Representative of
addition to this, if SGBV is approached
and their rights to take part in political
the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual
too narrowly, donor agents run the risk
life are, however, crucial instruments for
Violence in Conflict, and UNSCR 1960
of attacking the symptom while failing
ending impunity for SGBV. In addition
calls for a monitoring and accounta-
to thoroughly address discriminating
to this, sexual violence in conflict and
bility system including mandating the
gender relations as one of the underlying
post conflict settings should, according
Secretary-General to “list in the annexes
problems. The UNSCR 1888 Team of Ex-
to WILPF, be understood as a component
to annual reports parties who are cre-
perts has also acknowledged this, stating
of a broader category of gender based
dibly suspected of committing or being
that: “There has been little discussion
violence. GBV as such does not only
responsible for patterns of sexual vio-
about prevention thus most prevention
occur in conflict and post-conflict set-
lence” and stating that sanctions may be
efforts have been centred on sensitiza-
tings, but in all settings including those
directed towards such parties. It is main-
tion and media activities.” 3
who are defined as peaceful. This being
tained in this report that the fight against
said, the definition of “conflict-related
impunity for SGBV must pay great atten-
by participants at the conference, all
sexual violence”, as endorsed by the
tion not only to the fact that women are
actors including donor and implemen-
UN Action Steering Committee, is still
victims of violence, but equally recognize
ting agents must coordinate their efforts
4 FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
During the conference, several par-
Equally important, as pointed out
if SGBV is approached too narrowly, donor agents run the risk of attacking the symptom while failing to thoroughly address discriminating gender relations as one of the underlying problems.
more efficiently so that attention is paid
related violence in conflict and post-con-
to those regions that might not be at
flict settings can indeed be political, and
the centre of public debate and media
must be treated as such. The same goes
coverage. On a similar note, previously
for how political agency is understood.
published reports have asked for better
Women’s rights activists are political
coordination in country specific work.
actors, who often face great risks in their
This is acknowledged in “Justice, Im-
home settings. Accordingly, a number
punity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern
of participants promoted that Swedish
Democratic Republic of Congo” where
NGOs should lobby more actively for im-
it is held out that “the UN, the EU and
proved immigration policies for women’s
international donors generally might
rights activists and rape survivors, and
not be as well coordinated as they could
make better use of CEDAW (The Con-
be” and that a “more rational division
vention on the Elimination of All Forms
of labour” is needed amongst individual
of Discrimination against Women) in
organizations working in the field. 4
asylum processes.
It is crucial to address SGBV as a
political issue, and to counteract perceptions of such violence as a “natural” part of society, or inevitable in conflict and post-conflict situations. A number of participants, notably Lisa Gormley from Amnesty International, pointed
REFERENCES 1
UN Action (2011): Analytical & Conceptual Framing of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
2
UN Action (2011): Analytical & Conceptual Framing of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
3 The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (2011): Team of Experts: Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict, Progress Report JanuaryMay 2011 p.17.
The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights & The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Great Lakes Region of Africa (2008): Justice, Impunity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - International parliamentary-expert mission addressing impunity for sexual crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo 26 April-3 May 2008 p.32. 4
out that the political nature of SGBV is insufficiently recognized in, for example, national migration policies. Women who have experienced forms of SGBV are often told that their experiences are not sufficient basis for asylum, unless the violence is “linked to a political act”. Such conceptions fail to see that gender
FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
5
Challenges for the
international community
DIPLOMACY AND INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
promote the inclusion of SGBV.
agenda. It is not enough for Sweden to
talk through the EU; there is a need for
In addition to this, the UN Security
Council must systematically address
more active diplomacy, especially in
its Women, Peace and Security com-
non-conventional forums, in order to
There are a number of areas in which the
mitments in specific resolutions and
fill the vacuum between gender experts
international community (member states
situations, for example in mandates of
and security/IR diplomats. In addition to
and international and regional organisa-
UN Peacekeeping. This was not the case
this, it is strategic for a state like Sweden
tions including UN) can improve its work
with resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011) on
to choose one issue to champion in this
against SGBV impunity. Violence against
Libya, which has been strongly criti-
regard, said Butler.
women is rarely mentioned in ceasefire
cised by Margot Wallström. The risk
agreements or peace agreements. Even in
of sexual violence in conflict must be
the case of the Liberian Peace Agreement
acknowledged and explicitly mentioned
International courts are naturally
(2003) – in which women most explicitly
in resolutions and mandates, recalling
key agents in the fight against SGBV
played a key role – the issue of rape was
the commitments made by the UN and
impunity. Besides bringing restitution
not addressed. Studies of 300 peace agre-
member states to address such violence.
for victims and survivors, international
ements relating to 45 conflicts situations
Otherwise it might not be addressed at
courts establish and reinforce essential
since the end of the Cold War show that
all, which indisputably increases the risk
norms. They have also shown to affect
sexual violence or gender-based violence
of impunity.
the de facto freedom even for unconvic-
has been addressed in only 10 conflict
ted war criminals. Representatives from
situations and 18 agreements. Sexual
that there is a pervasive silence rela-
the Swedish Red Cross and Amnesty In-
violence has been identified as a cease-
ting to SGBV that needs to be urgently
ternational said that international court
fire violation in only six ceasefire agre-
addressed in order to make it a priority
proceedings and trials have impacts
ements. A study by UN Women shows
issue for all actors in the international
including deterrence and restrictions on
that out of 24 peace processes since the
community. This can be approached in
travel of indicted suspects, as they fear
mid-1990s, an average of 8 percent of
various ways that are both bottom-up
they may be convicted in another state.
the negotiating teams were women. This
and top-down. During the conference,
underpins impunity, as the occurrence
Maria Butler from the WILPF project
pointed to the insufficient protection of
of SGBV is not formally recognized. As
PeaceWomen argued that Sweden can do
both witnesses and victims in internatio-
the international community can affect
much more in making SGBV more visible
nal and national trials relating to SGBV
such treaties and agreements, it should
and actionable on the peace and security
in conflict and post-conflict settings. In
6 FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
It was noted by several participants
JUDICIAL MATTERS
Significantly, several participants
some incidence, “women do not trust
is broad in scope. As stated in WILPFs
justice” said Veprore Shehu from Medica
position on the ATT, the treaty should be
Kosova. Lisa Gormley from Amnesty
a strong tool with the primary purpose
International talked about the need for
of preventing armed conflict, preventing
“deep law reforms”; to look beyond the
the violation of human rights and inter-
technicalities of laws and pay greater at-
national humanitarian law, and seriously
tention to how women are being treated
reducing the culture and economy of
during trials. Participants challenged the
militarism.
conference to approach “justice and ac-
countability” from the survivors perspec-
situation is recognized in regulations
tive. Trial procedures and examinations
on arms trade. Most countries have no
often re-traumatize women, and court
mention of domestic violence in their
officials show a lack of understanding for
gun laws, and no mention of guns in their
the women’s experiences. Shehu shared
domestic violence laws. Still, a gun in the
the story of a woman who testified in the
home is more likely to be used against a
ICTY tribunal during 2002-2003, after
family member than against an intruder.
having survived a gang rape during the
In militarized societies, weapons are
war in former Yugoslavia. The woman
used to threaten or kill women, often
needed her counsellor with her at all
in cases of domestic violence. Stronger
times during the long process of the trial
trade regulations and fewer weapons
but this could not be arranged for due to
would not only decrease the number of
regulations at the tribunal. This is just
SGBV incidents, it would also serve to
one of many examples, and these issues
empower women as small and light arms
must be given attention in order for wo-
(SALW) function to uphold gendered po-
men to actually approach the courts and
wer relations between women and men.
make use of their legal rights.
Annie Matundu Mbambi, president of
Terminology is also crucial. Institu-
It is absolutely crucial that women’s
WILPF in DRC, emphasized the connec-
tions like the ICTY must attach separate
tion between SALW and SGBV. Mbambi
criminal liability for sexual crimes in
has spoken out on the need for disarma-
prosecution. It is also important that sur-
ment on a number of occasions, and she
vivors can file collective prosecution for
expresses it very succinctly in the report
acts of SGBV in conflict and post-conflict
“Why Women? Effective engagement for
settings, against countries, tribes or other
small arms control”, stating that “A guy
significant groups who are credibly su-
with a machete in a village can rape one
spected of committing or being respon-
woman. Two guys, one with a machine
sible for such acts. This can also serve
gun, can rape the whole village.” 5 In ad-
to strengthen the recognition of conflict
dition to the protective aspect, conferen-
and post-conflict SGBV as systematic and
ce participants also called for the ATT to
organized acts, which they often are.
include language on women’s rights to
A guy with a machete in a village can rape one woman. Two guys, one with a machine gun, can rape the whole village.
REFERENCES 5 IANSA Women’s Network (2011) Why Women? Effective engagement for small arms control, p. 9
participate in arms control processes, in
A STRONG REGULATION OF ARMS TRADE
order to guarantee that their experiences are accounted for in policies and decisions. The necessity of including women has already been recognized in the UN
The conference also included discus-
General Assembly resolution 65/69 ”Wo-
sions on disarmament as a key issue in
men, disarmament, non-proliferation and
the fight against SGBV and the impunity
arms control”.
for it. The coming Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), to be negotiated in 2012, and its relevance was brought up at several times during the workshop discussions. The proliferation of weapons and ammunition, and the lack of rule of law, lead to impunity for crimes and particularly for SGBV, and the final ATT negotiations must result in a strong treaty that
FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
7
Challenges for
national and local actors
National and local chains of justice (including judicial systems) in conflict and post-conflict settings must have the capacity to try, and sentence, SGBV
PROTECTING WITNESSES, SURVIVORS AND NGO’S
met with threats and stigmatization from the local community. Representatives from, amongst others, Amnesty International, WILPF and Medica Kosova,
perpetrators justly. The following section
Several participants called for impro-
addressed this problem. The implied
lists some of the challenges, held out as
ved physical protection for witnesses,
conceptions in stigmatizing reactions
crucial by the conference participants.
survivors and NGOs. The report “Justice,
can be of the kind that “women should
Impunity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern
have stayed at home instead of going out
LEGAL AND LOGISTIC ASSISTANCE
Democratic Republic of Congo” reflects
during the war” – i.e., the blame is put
the same conclusion, recommending
on the survivor. On the same note, Elvan
that “particular efforts should be made
Isikozlu and Ananda S. Millar establish
Legal assistance for survivors of SGBV
to respond to intimidation or abuses and
in their report “Brief 43 - Towards
is often provided for by women’s rights
to otherwise help protect the ability of
a Typology of Wartime Rape”, that
activists and NGOs. For this to be ef-
NGOs and human rights defenders to do
”Interventions on wartime rape must
fective, these actors must have sufficient
their work safely.” 6 The UNSCR 1888
understand and aim to address social
resources - which many of them do not.
Team of Experts identifies a lack of “clear
stigma surrounding rape.” 8 It is also es-
There is also a need for logistic assis-
policies mechanisms” in regard to the
sential to recognize that in many conflict
tance in many settings, as police stations
protection of survivors, witnesses and
and post-conflict settings, stigmatization
and courts are often situated quite far
justice operators. 7
of SGBV survivors is a matter of women
away from where women who have been exposed to SGBV live. This very practical problem might often be a critical factor when a woman decides whether or not she will file charges.
8 FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
stigmatizing other women. NGOs and
COMBATTING STIGMATIZATION
programmes aimed at community and women-to-women relations should thus be supported to a greater extent by
The participants at the conference
international and national donors, said
repeatedly highlighted the fact that when
Veprore Shehu from Medica Kosova.
women stand up for themselves, tell their
stories, and file charges, they are often
more frequently and openly in order to
SGBV should be discussed much
fight stigmatization as an obstacle to
Experts lists “ensuring that court deci-
ending impunity, said some participants.
sions are enforced” as a key issue in the
Elvan Isikozlu and Ananda S. Millar also
fight against SGBV impunity. 7
point to the importance of recognizing
the risk for stigmatization in program-
ted to the importance of including civil
mes and funding aimed at ending
society, NGOs and other women’s rights
impunity. In their opinion, such projects
promoters in the fight against SGBV
“should not exclusively target individuals
impunity. In terms of more practical
or families affected by wartime rape” in
and concrete measures, they are needed
conflict and post conflict settings as this
to provide e.g. counselling and logistic
might imply “further victimization of
assistance to survivors and reporting on
individuals by publicizing the suffering
cases of SGBV. But in addition to this, lo-
they have undergone” (an experience
cal actors remain key agents in changing
they draw from field interventions to
social norms about SGBV and women’s
assist e.g. landmine victims). Conse-
rights, through raising awareness and
quently, there is a fine line between
pushing women to demand justice. The
establishing enough openness to make
possibility to accomplish sustainable
victims and survivors tell their stories,
change increases with the engagement of
and imposing such openness in a way
local actors. They know what the specific
that might actually counteract the pur-
problems and needs are in their settings,
pose.
and their long-term presence is essential
9
local actors remain key agents in changing social norms about SGBV and women’s rights
The conference participants all poin-
to achieve lasting change.
JUSTICE SYSTEM
The issue of supporting local actors
is, however, a rather complicated matter
The list of challenges for national and
in Swedish foreign aid policy, as discus-
local agents in the fight against SGBV
sed during the conference workshop.
impunity is, by all means, complex and
The government experiences difficul-
extensive. Amongst the recommenda-
ties with finding organizations through
tions found in previously published
which foreign aid can be canalized. In
reports, is the need for police officers
addition to this, increased demands for
to be educated, especially with regards
accountability and transparency make
to handling investigations and collec-
the issue even more pressing. On this
ting and securing evidence on crimes
note, several participants claimed that
of sexual violence. 10 The protection of
donor agencies tend to downgrade the
evidence is critical to pursue justice and
credibility of women’s organizations -
end impunity.
sometimes because they “can’t formulate
the problem the way we would like them
There is also a need for more female
officers in the justice system, which
to” as one participant put it. Along with
would most likely increase the probabi-
this, smaller NGOs experience great dif-
lity for women approaching the justice
ficulties with formulating and reporting
system with their experiences. Last, but
results back to the donor. It takes a lot of
not least, convictions for SGBV must be
time and energy for women’s organiza-
enforced, and it must also be ensured
tions in conflict and post conflict settings
that perpetrators face their punish-
to constantly keep advocating for their
ment. In “Justice, Impunity, and Sexual
expertise and credibility. With short term
Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic
funding – often on a yearly basis – and
of Congo it is concluded that “The state
insufficient resources, women’s rights
of the prisons in the DRC bears very
activists often get burned out. The con-
directly on the issue of impunity for
ditions for the distribution of Swedish
sexual crimes” which is exemplified with
foreign aid must be discussed further, as
a court case in Equateur Province, DRC.
it involves many of those actors that ex-
Twelve soldiers were convicted of having
perts identify as crucial for ending SGBV
raped about 120 women, but even if they
impunity through local and national field
were sentenced to prison for a long time,
work.
all of the perpetrators were free within one month. 11 The UNSCR 1888 Team of
REFERENCES 6 The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights & The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Great Lakes Region of Africa (2008): Justice, Impunity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - International parliamentary-expert mission addressing impunity for sexual crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo 26 April-3 May 2008, p. 45.
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (2011): Team of Experts: Rule of Law/ Sexual Violence in Conflict, Progress Report January-May 2011 p.17. 7
8 Elvan Isikozlu & Ananda S. Millar, Bonn International Center for Conversion (2010): Brief 43 - Towards a Typology of Wartime Rape, p. 63.
9 Elvan Isikozlu & Ananda S. Millar, Bonn International Center for Conversion (2010): Brief 43 - Towards a Typology of Wartime Rape, p. 64.
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (2011): Team of Experts: Rule of Law/ Sexual Violence in Conflict, Progress Report January-May 2011, p. 17. 10
The Swedish Foundation for Human Rights & The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Great Lakes Region of Africa (2008): Justice, Impunity, and Sexual Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo - International parliamentary-expert mission addressing impunity for sexual crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo 26 April-3 May 2008, p. 16. 11
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (2011): Team of Experts: Rule of Law/ Sexual Violence in Conflict, Progress Report January-May 2011, p. 17. 12
FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
9
THE DARFUR EXPERIENCE
their understanding of the act of rape, from looking upon it as adultery to un-
UNDP’s mission in Darfur during the
derstanding it as an unethi-
conflict in Sudan entailed a successful
cal and illegal violation.
contribution to the fight against SGBV
impunity (although SGBV is still a pres-
serves to show the im-
sing issue in the Darfur region). Yasmine
portance of engaging local
Sherif, who served for UNDP in Darfur
professionals. Programmes
2004-2007, spoke at the conference
with great local involvement
about the Darfur experience. According
can work well to change not
to Sherif, it serves as a good example of
only the legal conditions for
how a bottom-up approach can be used
fighting impunity, but also
to combat SGBV impunity through legal
social conditions and norms.
reforms.
Local engagement gives
more sustainable change,
In Darfur, UNDP officials started
The Darfur mission also
“Normally”, Sherif said, “the reaction is that during a conflict there is very little you can do” to change a pattern like organized rapes – this must not be the case.
mapping out and establishing legal aid
and it serves as a strategy for closing the
policy and implementation levels interact
clinics across different camps for inter-
huge gap between international policy le-
and discuss 1) the obstacles they are fa-
nally displaced Darfurians. Simultan-
vel and national and local organizations.
cing in their day-to-day work, and 2) how
eously, officials worked to raise aware-
UNSCR 1325 does not make sense to the
these obstacles may be overcome in the
ness on the rule of law, human rights,
grassroots, said several participants at
short-term and long-term perspective.
and women’s rights. Women in Darfur
the conference, and it is crucial to find
This is what the workshop participants
were encouraged to report rapes, even
mechanisms through which the signifi-
were asked to do, and the questions ser-
during full-scale conflict. Local Darfu-
cance and meaning of the Women, Peace
ved as a good starting point for construc-
rian lawyers were identified and involved
and Security agenda can be framed more
tive discussions and recommendations.
in the process, and the UNDP established
concretely.
cooperation with local grass root actors
rence that the issue of SGBV impunity
and NGOs that served to support women
sion in Darfur showed that impunity for
relates to a very broad scope of policy
for example in their contacts with police
gender related violence can and should
development and practices. Knowing
officials. After 1,5 years of preparatory
be fought during the conflict. “Nor-
this, experts, governmental agencies and
work, change was observed. An increa-
mally”, Sherif said, “the reaction is that
NGOs must apply a broad perspective
sing number of actors within the system,
during a conflict there is very little you
when evaluating strategies and solutions.
such as social workers, started to testify
can do” to change a pattern like organi-
Conferences and workshops that bring
for the raped women. Rape convictions
zed rapes – this must not be the case.
together actors on different levels can
were eventually issued, to a rather
Last, but not least, the UNDP mis-
CONCLUDING REMARKS
significant extent. The Darfur approach
It became clear during the confe-
most definitely play an important role in this regard. The participants of the
has been replicated in over 20 countries
The international community can do a
Stockholm conference brought to the
and according to the same pattern as in
lot more to fight SGBV impunity: it must
table a broad range of experiences and
Sudan, positive change is taking place in
work to strengthen gender awareness
knowledge, and it is crucial to keep pro-
eastern Congo DRC. Several conclusions
norms and ensure that the issue of SGBV
viding for such discussions to take place
can be drawn from the Darfur expe-
is present at all times in discussions and
so that the know-how of different actors
rience.
decisions relating to international peace
is used wisely and efficiently.
and security. However, while acknow-
Social and structural change can
start with reforms aimed at individuals
ledging these challenges, substantial
and individual cases. The work made
progress has been made during the last
by local actors and the UNDP in Darfur
decade. The commitments made by
affected the attitudes of judges, police of-
the UN and its member states through
ficials and other key actors. The process
the Women, Peace and Security agenda
served as an eye opener that actually
provide powerful tools for replacing
changed the way that rape was concep-
impunity with accountability – but it
tualized, said Sherif. At the start of the
presupposes that these commitments
mission, women who had been exposed
are transformed into national and local
to rape were accused of adultery and
efforts and action.
punished with death penalty, according
to local laws. With the work of the UNDP
strategies nationally and locally, it is ab-
and local actors, legal officials changed
solutely essential that actors on different
10 FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
In order to do develop adequate
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING SPEAKERS):
STAFF:
Lena Skoglund - Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Elin Liss - WILPF Sweden
Marie Nilsson - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Zarah Östman Pyttaloga - Amnesty
Linnea Ehrnst - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
International
Joel Borgström - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Rebecca Paulsson -WILPF Sweden
Joel Ahlberg - Folke Bernadotte Academy
Sofia Tuvestad - WILPF Sweden
Anna Broman Lövheim - The Moderate Party
Dennis Dahlqwist – Photography
Barbro Uppling - Swedish Migration Board Ulf Jakobsson - Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Marielle Sundin - Folke Bernadotte Academy Anna Sundén – Kvinna till Kvinna Katarina Berghed - Amnesty International Anki Meyer - The Swedish Police Malin Greenhill - Red Cross Annie Mbambi Matundu - WILPF DR Congo Veprore Shehu - Medica Kosova Yasmine Sherif – UNDP Lisa Gormley - Amnesty International Maria Butler - WILPF/PeaceWomen Pia Hederén - The Swedish Police Joy Onyesoh - WILPF Nigeria Josefine Karlsson - WILPF Sweden
FROM IMPUNITY TO ACCOUNTABILITY
11
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is an international Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with national sections, covering all continents with an international secretariat based in Geneva, and a New York office focused on the work of the United Nations. Since its establishment in 1915, WILPF has brought together women from around the world who are united in working for peace by nonviolent means, promoting political, economic and social justice for all. www.ikff.se www.wilpfinternational.org