The threshold of State Accountability: Case of Kontrová v. Slovakia
When the State has legislated its duty to prevent and protect people from violence, it is saying "We shall be legally responsible for...
Can the State be held accountable for failing to prevent violence? The case of Opuz v Turkey (ECHR)
Domestic violence have often been classified by the State as a ‘private’ issue, i.e. outside the realms of criminal law. As such, law...
Remedies at the heart of justice
1. The CEDAW Committee made General Recommendations on women's access to justice CEDAW/C/GC/33 in July 2015. Paragraph 19 on page 9...
Investigating torture against women
When we think of torture or inhuman, degrading and cruel treatment and punishment, we typically think of acts committed by States against...
Being heard and believed - the starting point for all sexual assault cases
High conviction rate is almost the sole measure of accountability in sexual assault cases. Historically, high conviction rates...
Challenging the myth of rape in court
The World Health Organization (WHO) has just published a new toolkit for lawyers and other professionals on strengthening medico-legal...
Two basic premises for prosecuting sex crimes during conflict
1. Violations have to occur as part of an attack against the civilian population or during armed conflict In international criminal law,...
Why prosecute on the basis of joint criminal enterprise? Taking Akayesu as an example.
JCE is inclusive and expansive in scope. It can be used to prosecute each co-perpetrator who participates in a common criminal plan/...
Prosecuting multiple people under the doctrine of joint criminal enterprise
The doctrine of Joint Criminal Enterprise or JCE has been instrumental to securing a number of convictions for crimes of sexual assault...
Activism behind prosecuting rape
Over the years various resolutions have been passed: Resolution 1820; 1325 (2000) and 1889 (2009) on Women and Peace and Security;...
