The second day of the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict ended in London today, as experts from across the world gathered to discuss initiatives that could help to stop the use of rape and torture.
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The Opening Plenary of Experts took place this morning, with the UK's Senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Baroness Warsi, welcoming the hundreds of delegates to the summit.
Keynote speaker Zainab Bangura, Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, stated that “there can no longer be amnesty or pardons”, even in post-conflict scenarios for rape.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also addressed the summit by video.
See more in our post: Breaking 'history's greatest silence' at sexual violence summit (11 June 2014)
The second day of the Summit also saw the launch of the first International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict by the British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie, designed to tackle the “culture of impunity” around warzone rape.
See more in our post: International protocol launched to increase prosecutions of sexual violence in conflict (11 June 2014)
Exhibitions were open to the public throughout the day, with a theatre performance from 'Ice and Fire' portraying three true stories of male rape survivors from Bosnia, the DRC and a Tamil from Sri Lanka.
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The story of the Tamil survivor told of how he was abducted in a white van and in held custody for months, whilst suffering sexual violence and rape at the hands of military officials. After finally paying a bribe, the managed manage to secure his release and fled to the UK, where he attempted to gain asylum.
Poignantly, the victim stated,
“I want to say this to the Sri Lankan government. You've done this to me and there is non way to change that. But please... leave the other Tamils alone”.The production takes place after William Hague stated he would be investigating cases of the UK deporting Tamils, where they face torture at the hands of the Sri Lankan state and Jolie added she would be meeting Tamil asylum seekers during the summit in London.
Expert panel discussions also took place throughout the day, with topics such as the impact of women in Afghanistan and the vulnerability of children being discussed.
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Follow us for live coverage throughout the event on our Twitter page - @TamilGuardian
Day 1
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 Photograph: Tamil Guardian |
In their opening addresses to the summit, British UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague and the Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie, stated the summit was an opportunity to “shatter the culture of impunity for sexual violence”.
See more in our post: 'Time to shatter culture of impunity' (10 June 2014)
A range of theatre performances, art exhibitions and discussion were organised throughout the day by NGOs and government agencies, with the issue of sexual violence in Sri Lanka featuring throughout.
Earlier in the day, Hague had stated that the UK would investigate reports that Tamil rape victims are being deported to Sri Lanka were they face torture by security forces, with Jolie adding she would be talking to Tamil refugees during the four-day summit in London.
See more in our post: Hague to investigate Tamil asylum seeker torture reports (10 June 2014)
Sri Lanka meanwhile stated that they would not be attending the summit and refused to sign the “Declaration of Prevention of Sexual Violence in Conflict”, a decision which British Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds told the Tamil Guardian, was “disappointing”.
See more in our post: British Minister 'disappointed' with Sri Lankan absence at summit (10 June 2014)
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Theatre performances highlighted the injustices that victims of sexual violence faced and long-term damage that such crimes can leave, with a performance by Widows for Peace Through Democracy highlighting the case of Tamil women. ‘Breaking the Silence’, written for Human Rights Watch, explored the different ways in which sexual violence can manifest, from detention to trafficking to rape as a weapon of war.
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Pieces of art and photography were also exhibited across the summit’s opening day, with powerful pieces from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), just a few of the many on display. Dozens of creative initiatives were being launched, with groups such as Médecins du Monde calling for victims to be thought of as “names not numbers” and a dramatised trial scrutinising the UN Resolution on Women, Peace and Security.
Youth events, which kicked off on the opening day, will be taking place throughout the summit, with more documentary screenings and discussion events planned.