Alice Edwards urges the recognition of sexual violence in conflict as torture under international law. She highlights the severe repercussions of sexual torture on individuals and communities, advocating for robust legal protections to ensure justice for victims. Her insights reveal the lack of avenues for accountability under current frameworks, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach to eradicate such heinous acts worldwide.
The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Edwards, has emphasized the urgent need to classify sexual violence in wartime as torture under the Convention Against Torture. In an exclusive interview with UN News, she shared her concerns regarding the rising incidence of sexual torture across the globe’s 120 ongoing conflicts. Such acts, she asserts, profoundly impact not only victims but also their families and broader communities, propagating hatred and obstructing peace.
Edwards underscores that sexual torture is one of the most severe forms of torture, capable of inflicting deep physical, psychological, and socio-economic harm. Emphasizing the universal obligation of states to prohibit all torture forms, she advocates for a comprehensive legal structure to address sexual violence in conflict. The inclusion of sexual violence in the torture framework could ensure stronger legal repercussions for such acts, eliminating escape routes for perpetrators.
Alice Edwards calls for a paradigm shift in understanding sexual violence as a violation of human rights, demanding that it be treated as torture. This shift could pave the way for survivors to seek justice without the burden of stigma and shame. By framing these acts within the Convention Against Torture, societies can work towards accountability and healing, ultimately fostering peace and justice.
Original Source: news.un.org
