Pro Bono | EMEA

Supporting victims of sexual violence in conflict

To commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict (19 June 2021), we launched a Discussion Paper calling for financial justice for victims of sexual violence in conflict.

Collaborating with the Global Survivors Fund, REDRESS and Goldsmith Chambers, the paper forms the second volume to our report, Finance for Restorative Justice. The paper is supported by two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Nadia Murad and Dr Mukwege.

Dr Mukwege: "Repurposing the assets seized through sanctions regimes for the purpose of #reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and other human rights violations is worth exploring. (...)This will only be fair,"

Nadia Murad: "Ways to use the sanctioned assets to fund #reparations would be welcomed by Yazidis and would set a precedent to help survivors around the world access the reparations they deserve"

This paper develops our proposal to use existing sanctions regimes and terrorist financing legislation to ensure that victims of sexual violence in conflict receive the reparations they are entitled to under international law. In particular, it considers the legal obligation on States to guarantee victims’ rights to reparations and how sanctions regimes can be developed to ensure that frozen assets can be used to finance such reparations.

This paper and its recommendations are intended to contribute to the on-going and vital discussions within the international community as to how accountability and justice for war crimes and other gross human rights violations can be ensured.

Our team who authored the report included, partner Aline Doussin (Global Reg, London and Paris), International Pro Bono partner Yasmin Waljee (LAE, London) and associates Haylea Campbell (Responsible Business and Pro Bono, London) and Megan Smith (Global Reg & IPMT, London).