OSCE human rights chief calls for greater efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and to support victims
WARSAW, 17 June 2016 – Today, ahead of Sunday’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), reminded states that addressing sexual violence has to be at the centre of conflict-resolution efforts.
“Any effective approach to resolving conflicts has to address all forms of violence and focus on all victims,” Director Link said. “OSCE participating States have recognized that preventing sexual violence and providing the necessary support to victims are integral parts of halting conflicts and maintaining peace.”
In 2005 in Ljubljana, OSCE participating States committed to take all necessary steps to prevent gender-based violence against women and girls during and after armed conflict and emergencies, including bringing to justice perpetrators of crimes and taking special measures to address the needs of women and girls in post-conflict environments.
“Horrible acts of sexual violence committed against women and girls in conflict seriously hamper women’s capacities to participate in peace-building initiatives and post-conflict reconstruction, but this fact was long overlooked,” the ODIHR Director said. “We need to invest in greater efforts to ensure that the concept of comprehensive security is equally applicable to women and men, as recognized by the UN Security Council resolution on Women, Peace and Security and OSCE commitments. States and their political leaders, as well as health and judicial systems, must meet their obligations to support victims.”
As a positive example of such activities, he cited the work of women members of the Equal Opportunities Caucus of the Parliament of Ukraine, who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness not only about conflict related violence – including sexual violence – but also about how episodes of domestic violence have increased due to post-traumatic stress disorder and the lack of psychological and economic support for demobilized men.