Nations Should Pledge to Prosecute Attackers, Aid Survivors
(London) – The London Summit on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict is a landmark opportunity to strengthen global efforts to end rape in war, Human Rights Watch said today. Governments should use the summit, from June 10 to June 13, 2014, to make strong public commitments to end impunity for sexual violence, assist survivors, and prevent further rapes.
The London Summit is the culmination of a two-year campaign by the United Kingdom’s foreign secretary, William Hague, to draw attention to the widespread use of sexual violence in armed conflicts. It is expected to be the largest gathering of governments, United Nations agencies, activists, and donors to discuss how to prevent and respond to sexual violence.
“The terrible human cost for civilians caught in conflict is even greater for women and girls, who often face sexual violence from all sides and have nowhere to turn for protection,” said Liesl Gerntholtz, women’s rights director at Human Rights Watch. “The London summit will only be a success if the pledges countries make to end the scourge of rape in war are translated into concrete action.”
The full article continues at http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/06/09/global-summit-spotlights-rape-war on Human Rights Watch’s website.