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The MP highlighted the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly by Hamas in its attack on Israel. She criticised the delayed response from international organisations and emphasised the need for immediate recognition of these crimes to empower victims. She spoke passionately about recent events in Israel, calling for immediate hostage release and condemning impunity. She also discussed Ukraine and Sudan.
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Her contribution is not explicitly detailed but she likely contributed to the discussion on the subject matter.
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She echoed concerns about sexual violence in conflict, referencing reports from 7 October and calling for thorough investigations.
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The hon. Member for Bolton South East agreed that women's voices must be centred in peace negotiations and called for the UK to lead on this issue.
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The hon. Member noted the importance of a free press in highlighting issues related to sexual violence in conflict, especially compared to repressive regimes where such issues are often underreported.
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Mr Corbyn highlighted the prevalence of sexual violence in conflict, particularly referencing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where he reported alarming statistics on human rights violations and sexual abuse. He emphasised the need for international intervention to address the exploitation of women and children through mineral extraction and child labour. The speaker highlighted that 7 million people in the Congo have been displaced, describing it as probably the greatest abuse of human rights globally and noting the lack of media attention. He discussed the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, urging military forces to lay down arms and supporting political processes. He also mentioned the need for more effort on minerals transparency.
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Jim Shannon expressed deep concern over the rise in conflict-based sexual violence, citing UN verified cases of 3,688 last year, a 50% increase from the previous year. He highlighted specific incidents in Ethiopia and Ukraine and mentioned that women and girls account for 95% of these cases while children account for 32%. Shannon also discussed the plight of religious minorities who face sexual abuse due to their faith and shared the story of Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl kidnapped by Boko Haram. He expressed concern about the high levels of violence and misery worldwide and acknowledged the UK's £1 billion humanitarian effort this year.
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The MP questioned why the mass rape and sexual abuse by Hamas was organised, suggesting it aimed to provoke an overreaction from Israel. He asked if those planning such atrocities should also face international legal consequences. Asked if the mass rapes on 7 October were an integral part of the plan to provoke Israel, and whether those who planned these attacks should be held accountable in international courts.
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Ms Blackman highlighted the increasing sexual violence in conflict zones and emphasized the need for global recognition of this issue. She stressed the importance of protecting victims who report such crimes, noting that dismantling protection systems can lead to further victimization. She also discussed the disproportionate impact on women and girls, mentioning specific cases like those involving Boko Haram and Yazidis. Ms Blackman called for support for women's leadership roles in peacebuilding and recommended integrating gender analysis into emergency response planning. She highlighted the difficult nature of discussing sexual violence in conflict, stressing no tolerance for impunity and the importance of accountability and women's roles in conflict resolution.
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Ms Lyn Brown highlighted the ongoing issue of sexual violence used as a weapon in conflicts, particularly in Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She cited figures such as 5,000 reports of grave violations including sexual violence in Sudan and 60,000 survivors identified by June 2023. Ms Brown detailed cases of rape and ethnic cleansing in Khartoum and Darfur, and underlined the need for the UK to support local organisations opposing military factions in Sudan.
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The hon. Member expressed anguish over the United Nations' failure to recognise sexual violence during an attack on 7 October and horror at testimonies of mortuary workers who encountered nail varnish on bodies of sexually abused individuals killed in conflict. We must give greater priority to looking at sexual violence as wars evolve, rather than in retrospect after a war has ended.
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Her contribution is not explicitly detailed but she likely contributed to the discussion on the subject matter.
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The hon. Member emphasised the need for humanitarian support and funding to rebuild infrastructure in conflict zones, citing 614 million women and girls living in such regions who face disproportionate violence.
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The MP highlighted the increasing prevalence of sexual violence in conflict, citing verified cases and historical instances from conflicts such as Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine. She emphasized that sexual violence is neither inevitable nor collateral damage but a deliberate tactic employed by combatants. Creasy called for explicit accountability mechanisms to be part of peace processes and condemned those who seek to minimise or deny its occurrence. She emphasized the importance of focusing on victims and ensuring there is no impunity regarding sexual violence in conflict.