International Alliance joint statement in response to the Secretary General’s report on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV)
Published 19 June 2024
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As members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI), we remain alarmed by the scale of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) globally, with a 50% increase in UN verified cases in 2023. We therefore welcome the Secretary General’s Annual Report on CRSV, compiled by the Office of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, which highlights many concerning trends and outlines important recommendations, which must be acted upon.
We stand together to condemn unequivocally all forms of sexual violence and call for concerted action for its prevention, to ensure survivors and children affected receive the support and protection they need and to hold perpetrators to account. As highlighted in the report, CRSV remains widespread globally and we shine a light on the following situations of concern.
The recent 1-year anniversary was a sobering reminder that the situation for women and girls in Sudan remains critical. We share the Secretary General’s deep concern over the increasing risk of sexual violence for those fleeing conflict and cases of CRSV implicating Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces, as well as reports of abduction, trafficking and sexual slavery. We echo his call for the cessation of violence, an immediate and sustainable ceasefire with meaningful participation of women in any process, and for guaranteed and safe humanitarian access to ensure that survivors can access the services they desperately need.
We condemn CRSV occurring in Ukraine and are appalled by the mounting evidence of sexual violence committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, indicating its use as a tactic of war. We note also that Ukrainian courts have convicted 5 perpetrators of CRSV fighting for the Russian armed forces, with more cases being investigated.
Looking to the Middle East, in particular in Israel, the Gaza Strip, and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, we condemn all allegations and reports of CRSV. We echo the Secretary General’s call for thorough investigations and emphasise the need for a survivor-centred approach, for hostages to be released immediately, for survivors to be supported and for detainees to be treated with dignity and in line with international law.
We denounce and condemn all sexual violence being perpetrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The perpetration of CRSV is widespread, with cases mounting at a deeply concerning rate. We also echo concerns outlined in the report of exacerbated risks of sexual violence as a result of escalating armed conflict and the worsening humanitarian and security situation. Together, we stress the importance of concerted action to provide survivors with prompt and quality services, hold perpetrators to account and prevent further sexual violence, including through the scaling up of security measures.
Sexual violence in all forms must stop, perpetrators must be held accountable and survivors must be supported. As members of the International Alliance on PSVI, we will continue raising our voices, supporting survivors and working to end CRSV in all corners of the world.