Unveiling the Disturbing Reality: The Alarming Traces of Sexual Violence in Ukraine Conflict Demand Global Attention, Study Reveals
Ukraine's battle against sexual violence in the ongoing conflict demands immediate attention A report emphasizes the urgency to learn from Bosnia's post-war mistakes, preventing prolonged trauma for Ukrainian victims Action is crucial to safeguard their well-being
A new expert report has cautioned that the world should heed the lessons from the aftermath of the war in Bosnia in order to prevent subjecting Ukrainian victims of rape and conflict-related sexual violence to prolonged trauma. Ukrainian prosecutors and independent investigators from the United Nations and various international organizations have revealed increasing evidence indicating that Russian troops are employing rape and sexual violence as tactics of terror in Ukraine, which bears resemblance to the systematic use of rape by the Bosnian Serb army during the Bosnian war in the 1990s. Russia has refuted these accusations.
The New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, a US-based think tank, will release a report that will be discussed in a debate in the UK Parliament on Thursday. The report emphasizes the need to prioritize the victims in Ukraine to prevent a similar tragedy to the one experienced in Bosnia. In Bosnia, victims often waited for many years before coming forward, and a significant number of sexual crimes remained unpunished.
Emily Prey, one of the lead authors of the report, highlighted the absence of women and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence during the negotiations for the Dayton Peace Accords, which brought an end to the Bosnian war in 1995. She observed that their exclusion deprived the peace process of vital perspectives. Consequently, the Dayton Accords merely resulted in a temporary ceasefire rather than a genuine, enduring, and stable peace.
Prey emphasized the importance of setting aside biases and stigma and ensuring the inclusion of all individuals affected when addressing survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
According to Prey, sexual violence is commonly perceived as a crime that exclusively targets women. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that it can affect individuals of all genders, including women, girls, men, boys, and those with diverse gender identities.
Men who have suffered from sexual violence during the Bosnian war are now starting to speak out about their experiences, revealing that they have remained silent for many years without receiving the necessary assistance they require. This issue is also evident in Ukraine. Additionally, it is important to recognize that children born out of rape during times of conflict are often overlooked. Approximately 2,000 to 4,000 children were born as a result of documented cases of wartime sexual assaults in Bosnia, although the actual number is likely to be significantly higher.
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Insufficient consideration is given to conflict-related sexual violence, let alone the issue of children conceived during wartime rape. These children, known as the Invisible Children in Bosnia, have long been struggling for recognition due to the numerous obstacles and challenges they have faced throughout their lives, explained the speaker.
According to the report, it is vital for Ukraine's allies to be prepared to prosecute the perpetrators on behalf of Ukraine. This can be accomplished through either the UN's Genocide Convention or through national courts using the principle of universal jurisdiction. This principle enables national or international courts to bring individuals to trial for crimes against international law committed in foreign territories.
Prey cited a recent case as an example of the mechanism working effectively, in which a Bosnian Serb soldier charged with murder and rape was transferred from Bosnia to Montenegro, where the accused was residing.
The International Criminal Court has already issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and commenced an investigation into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Additionally, Lithuania, Germany, Sweden, and Spain have independently initiated investigations into alleged Russian atrocities.
However, according to Prey, these cases can be expensive and drawn-out, making it crucial to prioritize offering immediate assistance to the victims. This includes providing psychological and social support, free healthcare, and free legal aid.
She explained, "It's possible that they may not see any resolution in court for a decade or two. Survivors of sexual violence stemming from conflict deserve better than that. They deserve justice, accountability, but they also need to continue living their lives, supporting their families, managing their bills, and receiving the necessary support."
