Kathmandu, June 19

On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Women’s Rehabilitation Centre today urged the government to take immediate action towards prosecuting perpetrators of sexual violence during conflict.

It urged the government to ensure remedies like medico-psychological counseling, reparation and sustainable livelihood support to the survivors of sexual violence and create an enabling environment for them to report against it.

A press statement issued here today said, “WOREC would like to urge the government of Nepal and the global fraternity to stand in solidarity with the survivors of sexual violence in conflict.” It said sexual violence in conflict is a crime that is preventable and punishable under the human rights law.

On 19 June 2015, in an effort to boost the global fight against the horrors faced by women and girls in zones of conflict worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution to commemorate 19 June (annually) as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

In Nepal, the decade-long armed conflict resulted in gross human rights violations such as killings, enforced disappearances, torture, rape, attempted rape, abduction for sexual exploitation, indecent assault, sexual humiliation, serious injury or killing following rape, and other types of sexual violence.

“Sexual and gender-based violence has attained alarming consequences to become a matter of serious concern in regard to women’s physical and mental health, dignity, security, justice, peace, and human rights not only during conflict but also in post-conflict era,” it said.

Nepal Conflict Report 2012, OHCHR indicates that girl children under 18 years of age were particularly vulnerable during the conflict. More than one third of the victims of sexual violence were children, with many under 15 years of age. In some cases, the victims were below the age of 10 years.

“In the context of Nepal, it is regrettable that, this, however, continues and is not addressed adequately due to the established culture of impunity, and lack of attention by concerned authorities to sexual abuses committed during the conflict,” it said.

Nepal has ratified the ICPR, CAT, CEDAW, CRC, Optional Protocol to the CRC, and the Geneva Conventions. In Nepal, the Rape Act and Article 20 of the constitution prohibits sexual violence.

The government’s National Action Plan under 1325 and 1820 prohibit sexual violence, but no adequate measures have been taken to investigate the cases.

It said despite the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord, many cases of sexual violence remain unreported.

It urged the government to develop and implement properly a reparation programme to address critical needs of survivors.