Rape and Sexual Violence in Conflict 2022-06-21
2022-06-21
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Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Reports indicate significant use of rape as a weapon of war by Russian troops in Ukraine. The question stems from addressing the global issue of using rape and sexual violence as a tactic in conflicts, specifically highlighting recent cases.
What steps her Department is taking to help protect women and girls from the use of rape and sexual violence in conflict. We have had terrible reports of rape and sexual assault by Russian troops in Ukraine. What steps is my right hon Friend taking to ensure safe and effective evidence collection, so that those responsible can be held to account?
The use of rape and sexual violence in conflict is a war crime, and I have made tackling it a top priority. We launched the Murad code earlier this year for safe evidence collecting and dispatched a UK team to help with evidence collection by interviewing witnesses and survivors, preserving images and videos.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
An exhibition displayed the experiences of young women and girls who have been raped and sexually abused in Myanmar, Syria, and Nigeria. The question addresses ensuring accountability for those committing these crimes.
What the perpetrators of those awful crimes need is accountability. Can there be someone who will take the evidence and ensure those people know that some day they will go to prison, or even worse? They will receive that in the next world, but let us make sure they get it in this world.
Through the International Criminal Court and work on evidence collecting, we aim to hold perpetrators accountable. The conference hosted in November focuses on accountability for crimes committed around the world. Additionally, the budget for women and girls development aid is being increased specifically to tackle sexual violence.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The question addresses the aid budget for women and girls following significant cutbacks. It also queries why the Foreign Secretary has not visited Afghanistan post-fall of Kabul.
I place on the record my deepest respect for and thanks to our wonderful development and diplomatic staff, who do a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances. I visited Afghanistan this month, which was truly heart-rending. It appears that Mr Lammy and I are the only British MPs to have visited. Why has the Foreign Secretary failed to visit, one year since the fall of Kabul? She knows protecting development gains for women is fundamental, given millions face starvation, new restrictions, and loss of livelihoods. Given her statement on restoring aid budgets, will she make a statement to the House on when reversing £1.9 billion in cuts to women's programming?
I condemn the Taliban's actions reversing women's rights. We are restoring the women's and girls' budget back to £745 million a year, ensuring the humanitarian budget is greater to tackle issues around the world.
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