Justice

We must continue to join and redouble the efforts of all actors involved in order to find effective and immediate solutions on the ground aimed at ensuring respect for international law and to prevent, combat and eradicate crimes of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations and the trafficking in persons. We must bring the perpetrators of such war crimes and crimes against humanity to justice; and we must protect, contain, assist and reintegrate victims of such violations through the provision of multisectoral and multidisciplinary assistance services with a gender perspective and reparation measures and protect their dignity and human rights.

A key element in preventing sexual violence in conflict is addressing the risk factors and underlying conditions that leave some groups more vulnerable to sexual violence, compounding their victimization, trauma, marginalization and stigma. It is also essential to ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes be held accountable, while improving capacities for documenting and investigating cases of sexual violence and improving cooperation and the exchange of information and best practices in the areas of research, documentation, identifying and assisting victims, extradition and legal aid. In that regard, we would like to highlight the work of the United Nations Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and the roster of experts on sexual and gender-based violence overseen by UN-Women and Justice Rapid Response.