Britain’s commitment to ending sexual violence in conflict is clear. From training over 17,000 military and police personnel to deploying UK experts over 80 times to 13 countries and providing funding to NGO led projects, many of which have helped survivors to access justice and psychosocial support. We have also encouraged and supported changes in the law in countries such as Kosovo, Croatia and Cote d’Ivoire and translated the ‘International Protocol’ (a ‘best practice guide’ on investigating crimes of sexual violence in conflict) into 10 languages. Demonstrating the commitment of the UK Parliament towards this issue, earlier this year the House of Lords Select Committee issued a report titled Sexual Violence in Conflict: A War Crime.
This report set out over 120 recommendations and conclusions for the UK Government on sexual violence in conflict, women’s participation, sexual exploitation and abuse, accountability and justice.
Today, Thursday 30 June, the UK government has published its response which welcomes these recommendations. The extensive response shows Britain’s leadership and determination towards ending sexual violence in conflict and calls on international partners such as NGOs and other governments to continue to work with us.
Responding to the House of Lords report, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Baroness Anelay, said: Our response to the House of Lords demonstrates our resolve and the impact our work has had in many countries around the world.
The government’s commitment to tackling sexual violence in conflict, ending impunity, bringing perpetrators to justice and supporting survivors’ remains as strong as ever.
