SARAJEVO, August 31 (FENA) - The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (UN CEDAW) has condemned Bosnia and Herzegovina for failing to support survivors of sexual violence in war.
The UN CEDAW issued its first decision against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 19 this year, reaffirming that "gender-based violence against women is a form of discrimination and torture."
According to a press release, the Committee called on the country to provide direct support to survivors of sexual violence during the war. This is a historic decision, the first to hold BiH accountable, as well as the first to acknowledge the suffering of sexual violence survivors.
"Another decision of this important international body for the protection of human rights confirms that BiH is still ineffective in protecting the rights of survivors of wartime sexual violence. More and more empowered survivors are willing to seek justice at the international level, having previously exhausted all legal possibilities at the domestic level," said TRIAL International legal advisor Lamija Tiro.
The UN CEDAW decision is not limited to this case alone, which was represented by TRIAL International.
The Committee also calls on BiH to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of gender-based violence, especially in cases of wartime sexual violence.
The UN CEDAW decision was prompted by a case represented by TRIAL International, in which the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina failed to allow a survivor an impartial and effective investigation and guaranteed fair and appropriate compensation.
This decision is a clear message from the United Nations to Bosnia and Herzegovina's authorities to respect international obligations and timely and adequately respond to the demands of survivors of wartime sexual violence, as one of the most vulnerable groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Philip Grant, CEO of TRIAL International.
(FENA) S. R.