Protection against conflict-related sexual violence is one of the priorities within the Dutch commitment to justice for international crimes and human rights violations, and attention to this is also important in light of the feminist foreign policy.
Minister Bruins Slot: “Sexual violence is a horrific practice in many conflicts and wars, a too often occurring violation of international humanitarian law. We also see this in the conflicts currently dominating the news. The consequences for victims are severe: physical, but also psychological and social. It is striking that this violence almost always goes unpunished. Because many countries lack an adequate legal system for this, because victims are not heard, or because they do not come forward out of shame or fear of stigmatization. This conference offers a unique platform for the exchange of good practices. Victims of sexual violence deserve justice. Moreover, prosecution also has a preventive effect.”
The approach of the conference is practical and technical. Experiences will be exchanged regarding investigation and prosecution, and the conference marks the start of a ‘community of practice’ to further develop cooperation.