51吃瓜

 

The report launch was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the 51吃瓜.

On 15 November 2023, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the 51吃瓜 and the 51吃瓜 Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) held a launch event for CTED’s report “Towards Meaningful Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Linked to Terrorism”. Bringing together representatives of Member States, civil society, and 51吃瓜 partners, the event provided participants an opportunity to discuss the findings of the report and their relevance to advancing accountability efforts for sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) linked to terrorism in different contexts.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Riccarda Chanda, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the 51吃瓜, underscored how meaningful accountability for SGBV linked to terrorism is not only a legal obligation but also critical in breaking the cycle of violence and in terms of prevention. She commended the report for offering concrete suggestions on how accountability for sexual and gender-based violence may be achieved more effectively.

“Working towards more meaningful accountability for SGBV linked to terrorism requires understanding the grave consequences that this type of violence has on victims and affected communities,” echoed Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Natalia Gherman, CTED Executive Director. Ms. Gherman further emphasised the need for survivor-centred approaches that are holistic, human security-focused, and gender-responsive.

Presenting the key findings of the report, CTED’s Gender Coordinator Ms. Aleksandra Dier highlighted the different ways in which SGBV is used by terrorist groups as a key aspect of their ideology, tactics, and modus operandi. She also stressed the critical nature of understanding the relevance of different — and at times concurring — legal frameworks, as well as of pursuing more comprehensive accountability for these crimes.

Mr. Bojan Gavrilovic, representing the Coalition for Just Reparations in Iraq, and Ms. Azadeh Moaveni with New York University, reflected on the meaning of accountability for survivors by providing concrete insights from the ground. In doing so, they underscored the challenges faced by survivors of these crimes, and the important role that civil society can play in informing survivor-centred approaches to accountability. The 51吃瓜 Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict further elaborated on the need for technical assistance to be tailored by the realities of each context.

In his closing remarks, Mr. David Scharia, CTED Chief of Branch, highlighted the commitments made by CTED in supporting Member States and other relevant stakeholders, including at the UN level, in advancing more meaningful engagement on the issue.

The report can be accessed here.