...four thematic areas: prevention, justice and accountability, humanitarian response, and reparations – also aims to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of civil society, including survivor movements, in asserting their rights and to support their advocacy efforts to hold States accountable. What is clear from reading the guidebook is that there is already a robust set of obligations and that, if States fully respect them, significant progress would be made towards ending the scourge of...

...the steps required to investigate/prosecute perpetrators of CRSV and to hold States accountable for violations of their international obligations, as well as to make all justice avenues accessible to victims/survivors; Humanitarian response. “Humanitarian response” refers to what States must immediately do to alleviate the suffering of victims/survivors of CRSV in a crisis; Reparations. The 2005 UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims...

...Values that may appropriately be complemented by the study of international human rights law (IHRL).50 ‘In time of peace as in time of war’ designates this obligation as one of both prevention and humanitarian response. States’ dissemination efforts should not start only after an armed conflict has begun, when IHL principles are more difficult to teach. Spreading IHL in times of peace allows for programmes and materials to be developed for the needs of more......applicable to all perpetrators without discrimination.180 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.17 States must provide victims/survivors of CRSV with appropriate care🔗 States must ensure that the wounded and sick, whether civilian or military, receive the medical care and attention required by their condition. No distinction may be made on any grounds other than medical ones.181 States should consider how the roles and patterns formed by the social, economic, cultural or political context and resulting in different statuses, needs...

...perpetrator’s ethnic or national origin’.97 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.15 States must provide victims/survivors of CRSV with appropriate care🔗 Under article 5(e)(iv), victims/survivors of racial discrimination have a right ‘to public health, medical care, social security and social services’. States should: Provide material,98 legal, medical and psychological assistance, and other support, to victims/survivors (including undocumented immigrants and immigrants).99 Victims/survivors of human trafficking should be granted ‘a stable residence status and basic livelihood at least until the end of the...

...courts;54 Abolish legal provisions fostering impunity for sexual violence, including amnesties for serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and defences of superior order;55 and Remove obstacles that hinder the filing of complaints and effective access to justice and compensation for victims/survivors of sexual violence, including by significantly increasing statutes of limitations commensurate with the gravity of sexual violence.56 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.7 States should provide victims/survivors of CRSV with appropriate care🔗 States...

...to comprehensive services for survivors of gender-based violence, ‘ensuring the full participation of and cooperation with’ non-governmental women’s organisations;229 Ensure that persons and organisations fighting for women’s rights and representing victims/survivors are protected against threats, harassment and reprisal.230 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.22 States must provide victims/survivors of CRSV with appropriate care🔗 In conflict-affected areas, access to essential services such as health care, including sexual and reproductive health services, is disrupted. Consequently, women and girls are at...

...and inconsistencies, States Parties should appreciate that ‘complete accuracy can seldom be expected from victims of torture’,303 particularly if inconsistencies do not raise doubts about the general veracity of the claims,304 do not concern core elements of the account or are supported by ‘a satisfactory explanation.305 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.18 States must provide CRSV victims/survivors with appropriate care🔗 Under article 14, States should guarantee prompt, appropriate care to victims/survivors of torture or ill-treatment, and: Provide better protection, including...

...justice system as claimants, victims, defendants, judges, jurors and lawyers.99 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.14 States must provide persons with disabilities at risk of or who have been subjected to CRSV with appropriate care🔗 States must take ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including armed conflict.100 This means:101 ‘To include on an equal basis persons with disabilities in national emergency protocols’. The Committee has urged States to reform emergency response...

...children. Other support services include legal assistance, medical assistance, ‘including access to a forensic medical examination’, sexual and reproductive health care, care for the prevention and treatment of HIV, psychological and financial support, housing assistance, training, education and support in finding employment. States should provide these services with adequate human and financial resources and enough well-trained personnel.99 Humanitarian Response🔗 III.10 States should provide victims/survivors of CRSV with appropriate care🔗 Medical care. States should provide victims/survivors of......gender equality rights; Ensure that women are represented equally in the judiciary and law enforcement organs; Reform existing discriminatory laws and practices to promote and protect women’s rights. Humanitarian Response🔗 IV.8 States must ensure the sexual and reproductive rights of victims/survivors of CRSV🔗 Under article 14, States must respect and promote ‘the right to health of women, including sexual and reproductive health’. Women’s right to health includes: The right to control their fertility; The right...

I. Introduction🔗 Freedom from rape as based on consent is a most basic human right, which deserves absolute legal clarity to adequately protect and support victims. States must take full responsibility and change their laws to conform with the Istanbul Convention. The time to act is now. Marija Pejčinović Burić, Council of Europe Secretary General1 Founded in the wake of World War II, the Council of Europe (CoE) is an international organisation based in Strasbourg...