G8 Foreign Ministers came together in London last week to discuss conflict resolution and the prevention of sexual violence.
With the current turmoil on its south eastern border, Turkey needs no reminding of the suffering conflict can cause. William Hague has described Syria as potentially the “worst humanitarian catastrophe” of the 21st century. Last weekend’s attacks in Mogadishu were a terrible reminder of the risks Kızılay and others take in helping to alleviate suffering and build stability in fragile states.
Conflicts often cause most harm to the most vulnerable. That is why in May 2012 British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI).
The use of rape as a weapon of war is devastating to individuals and communities. The United Nations estimate that in the Democratic Republic of Congo alone as many as 500,000 women have been raped since 1996. In Somalia, more than 1700 rapes were registered in Mogadishu alone between January and November 2012. Yet only a tiny fraction of cases end up in court.
Last week the UK, supported by celebrity Angelina Jolie, secured G8 support for a robust new approach to tackling this devastating aspect of conflict.
Members of the G8 agreed a major declaration recognising that rape and sexual violence are grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. The G8 countries agreed to launch an international protocol which will set out standards for investigating and documenting sexual violence.
The aim is to increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and to deter future crimes. Pledges worth £23 million will support the initiative.
The UK hopes to use G8 support to help build a strong international coalition against rape and sexual violence in conflict at the UN and more widely. The UK looks forward to working with the Turkish Government to bring the perpetrators of such dreadful crimes to justice.
- Read the 2012 Human Rights and Democracy report
- Follow on twitter @FCOHumanRights with hashtag #hrdreport
- Read the previous FCO Human Rights reports