Publications

This report focuses on the use of rape as an instrument of torture and ill-treatment. The past two decades have seen a significant change in the classification of rape - the international community now locate it as a crime of the highest order. States therefore have the responsibility to prevent and respond to it and survivors of rape are entitled to the same level of protection and response as any other victim of violence. The report brings together the developing international human rights law and significant writings on the issue in order to assist those looking to make a link between rape and other forms of ill-treatment.

This report was written as a response to the difficulty of sharing strategies and best practices on the prosecution of torture. As torture law requires domestic avenues to be explored first, it is rare for those working on torture cases in different countries to come together and share their expertise and experience. The report therefore tries to provide tools to enable lawyers and others concerned with such issues to realise victims' rights to reparation. This global report draws on three years of research and builds on comparative research, advocacy and litigation.

Cette communication résume les préoccupations de REDRESS et de SAJ (Synergie pour l’assistance judiciaire aux victimes de violations des droits humains au Nord Kivu) quant aux manquements de la République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) concernant la mise en œuvre de certaines de ces recommandations (numérotées sur la base du Rapport du groupe de travail) dans le domaine de la lutte contre l’impunité, l’accès à la justice et à la réparation pour les victimes de violences sexuelles commises en période de conflit armé, dans le cadre du second cycle de l’examen de la RDC.

In this letter, REDRESS and other human rights groups urge the Permanent Representative Member and Observer States to the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that serious and widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Sudan are adequately addressed by the Human Rights Council during its 24th session that took place in Geneva from 9-27 September 2013.

The Victims’ Rights Working Group (VRWG) authored these comments on the Draft Resolution on Victims and Reparations (resolution) ahead of The Hague Working Group co-facilitation on Victims and affected communities and Trust Fund for Victims, including reparations and intermediaries that took place on 5 September 2013.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has held a public consultation on its Victims Right to Review Interim Guidance. In June the Guidance was published, setting out how a victim can ask for a review of a CPS decision not to prosecute without having to seek a judicial review. As part of the consultation process, REDRESS made submissions concerning victims of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture.

The Sudanese Human Rights Monitor, the Africa Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and REDRESS submitted this briefing for consideration by the UN Human Rights Committee in the Committee’s examination of Sudan’s implemention of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The 109th session of the Committee took place from 14 October to 1 November 2013. The concerns highlighted in this briefing are underpinned by serious ongoing human rights violations in conflict and non-conflict settings in Sudan, a deep-rooted culture of impunity, a weak rule of law and the failure of the Sudanese authorities to fully guarantee the absolute prohibition against torture.