WUNRN
Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes
June 2014
Direct Link to Full 44-Page 2014 Policy Paper:
http://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/otp/OTP-Policy-Paper-on-Sexual-and-Gender-Based-Crimes--June-2014.pdf
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http://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/press%20and%20media/press%20releases/Pages/pr1011.aspx
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
Publishes a Comprehensive Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes
Today, 5 June 2014, the Prosecutor of the
International Criminal Court (ICC), Mrs Fatou Bensouda, has published a Policy
Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes (Policy Paper). This comprehensive
Policy Paper will guide the Office of the Prosecutor in its work in fighting
against impunity for sexual and gender-based crimes, and promote transparency
and clarity, as well as predictability in the application of the legal
framework of the Rome Statute to such crimes. In turn, the policy will
contribute to ensuring not only the effective investigation and prosecution of
sexual and gender-based crimes, but also to enhancing access to justice for
victims of these crimes, through the ICC. Sexual and gender-based crimes
are among the gravest under the Rome Statute and investigating and prosecuting
such crimes is a key priority for the Office.
“The Policy Paper provides a foundation which we can
and must all build on to ensure that we deal effectively with the scourge of
sexual and gender-based crimes,” said the Prosecutor. “We will spare no
effort to bring accountability for these crimes and in so doing, contribute to
deterring the commission of such heinous crimes in the future. As a
matter of policy, the Office will systematically include relevant charges in
its cases on the basis of evidence of criminality. The message to
perpetrators and would-be perpetrators must be clear: sexual violence and
gender-based crimes in conflict will neither be tolerated nor ignored at the
ICC.”
The Policy Paper was promulgated following a process
of extensive consultations, gathering input from staff in the Office, the
Prosecutor’s Special Gender Advisor, as well as a wide-range of other sources,
including States Parties, international organisations, civil society, academia
and individual experts.
“Each of us has a role to play. It is hoped
that the Policy will also serve as a guide to national authorities in the
exercise of their primary jurisdiction to hold perpetrators accountable for
these crimes. United in our efforts, we can end the silence that has surrounded
sexual and gender-based crimes for far too long and give victims the ultimate
tool in in combatting such crimes: a voice backed by the force of the law,”
said Prosecutor Bensouda.
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