Banjul, 15 September 2016 – On August 22nd 2016, the ACHPR gathered African high-level experts in Johannesburg in order to establish clear directives enabling member States of the African Union to combat the scourge of sexual violence in Africa. The experts will be the Ambassadors of the directives throughout the continent, for their dissemination, promotion and effective implementation.
Sexual violence remains widespread throughout Africa, in peacetime as well as in wartime. It mainly affects women and girls, but also men and boys. In situation of armed conflict and of emergencies throughout the continent, acts of sexual violence are committed both by security forces and non-state actors, some of which may constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or even crimes of genocide. Too often, perpetrators enjoy total impunity, which contributes to the repetition of those crimes. Victims suffer very serious and long-lasting consequences. Harms range from physical and psychological harm to unwanted pregnancies, gynecological complications, sexually transmitted diseases, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and social ostracization. Those victims are struggling to get access to the necessary medical and psycho-social services and live in fear of reprisals. Most are denied their right to truth, justice and reparation.
“It is urgent to collectively engage in the fight against sexual violences that devastate our continent, in peacetime as well as in wartime. Governments must comply to their international obligations and take strong measures to prevent this form of violence, to protect survivors, to fight against impunity and to guarantee access to justice and reparation for victims. The Guidelines we are developing at the occasion of the African year of human rights with a particular focus on Women’s rights, will be a reference tool to guide States in the fight against this scourge” declared Soyata Maiga, ACHPR Vice-president.
Convinced that sexual violence can be fought, the ACHPR, in collaboration with FIDH and its member organization in South Africa, Lawyers for Human Rights, is developing Guidelines addressed to States for Combating Sexual Violence and its Consequences. These Guidelines will recommend the adoption of a range of concrete measures aiming at preventing from this violations, repressing the perpetrators and protecting and supporting the survivors, in compliance with States’ regional and international obligations. “The document we are developing will include recommendations to fight against the consequences of sexual violence, in particular with regards to women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights. It is imperative to authorize abortion in cases of rape.”, declared Lucy Asuagbor, ACHPR Special Rapporteur on women’s rights in Africa.
The Guidelines will shortly be submitted to a large consultation enabling to collect the contributions of relevant actors.
The meeting in Johannesburg gathered Ms. Pansy Tlakula (ACHPR Chairperson), Ms. Soyata Maiga (ACHPR Vice Chairperson), Ms. Lucy Asuagbor (ACHPR Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa), Dr. Rashida Manjoo (former UN special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences), Ms. Bineta Diop (Special Envoy of the African Union Commission for Women, Peace and Security), Ms. Mahawa Kaba Wheeler (Director of the women, gender and development department of the African Commission), Mr. Karim Lahidji (FIDH President), Mr. Jacob Van Garderen (LHR Executive Director) and representatives from both FIDH and LHR.
