EXPOSING HIDDEN WAR CRIMES:

In a consultative meeting held in Nairobi in March 2007, Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) brought together 45 civil society organizations, gender experts, politicians, decision makers from the Great Lakes region of Africa to discuss the challenges brought by the lack of justice and punishment of sexual crimes in times of conflict.

Hon Njoki Ndung'u, a Member of Parliament in Kenya and the 2006 UN Person of the Year opened the workshop posing the question of the role of society in reporting sexual violence? Ms. Hodan Addou, the Africa Peace and Security Advisor at UNIFEM in her intervention went on raising dilemmas like: What do we do when government has been the author of the crimes or when they ignore them? Who shall hold then them responsible? Who shall punish their crime?

A case study on impunity on sexual crimes in Burundi presented by Hon. Christine Ntagwirumugara (MP) showed how in the few situations where the perpetrator of a sexually violent crime has been arrested, the punishment given has been minimal.

Meeting participants noted that sexual violence does not emerge from conflict but rather that conflict reinforces what is already happening in our societies. It was proposed that NGOs can contribute by recording the stories and experiences of women, bringing these to the fore and advocate for reform in post-conflict situations. Breaking the silence and expressing solidarity with the women can also contribute to bring healing to those abused.

The seminar concluded by recommending that challenging impunity must begin in peace times. It is time that we call to account perpetrators and perpetuators of violence against women; be it direct or indirect.