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UN recognizes rape as a weapon of war

At Thursday's meeting of the UN Security Council along with Condoleeza Rice, a resolution was adopted declaring rape and sexual violence as a “war tactic” that aims to “humiliate, dominate, instil fear in, disperse and/or forcibly relocate civilian members of a community or ethnic group.”

We all know that this has been a long, long time coming, but nonetheless a sigh of relief to see the UN and other groups begin to recognize and document rape as a weapon of war.

Now we need the international community to adopt international law of rape as a war crime; let's hope this speeds the process. Check out the full resolution here.

Posted by Vanessa - June 23, 2008, at 12:58PM | in International , Sexual Assault , Violence Against Women

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10 Comments

It's great that this is finally recognized by the UN, but unfortunately the UN is great at recognizing stuff but awful at doing something about a lot of it. Just take a look at the UN's Human Rights Council to see how seriously the UN truly takes human rights. When countries like Saudi Arabia and Cuba are put in the position to PROTECT human rights it just doesn't instill much faith in me. How is anything positive going to be doe about rape as a weapon of war when we have countries on the human rights council that put WOMEN IN JAIL FOR BEING RAPED?

Meh, I wish it were different, but in many instances the UN just sucks at protecting the rights of the disadvantaged.

Wow, about freaking time. Rape has only been used in every single war as a way to terrorize civilian women and to shame and destroy the morale of an entire nation! I suppose the wheels of justice really DO turn slowly...

Now, how will they actually impose this is another question.

I agree with Danyell. About damn time.

I'm actually surprised that there was ever any debate about this.

How do you defend rape as not a way of systematically enstilling fear in these countries?

I guess looney leaders don't really use any sort of rational, just spout stupidity.

One aspect to this is how our own military will view rape and whether it will help change its own aspects of training that make women out to be sexual objects and dastardly crooks out to steal a soldiers money. I hope this ruling will filter into a validation of the claims women make about sexual harrasment and rape by and with in the US military and help end the abuse of both military women and foriegn women in and around US military bases.

'Bout damn time.

Rape... isn't already a warcrime according to international law?

Wow. Excuse me while I go vomit.

Hey, this is good news and a step in the right direction.
Even if it doesn't mean much, it's one step closer to all the things we are fighting for.

Hey, this is good news and a step in the right direction.
Even if it doesn't mean much, it's one step closer to all the things we are fighting for.

Ok, read the whole article. There is some really interesting and really great things that were said. Things like "By creating a culture that punished violence and elevated women to their rightful role, “we can lay the foundation for lasting stability, where women are not victims of violence, but agents of peace”, he added." (He being the Secretary-General)
Now if only that could actually happen...

Hey, this is good news and a step in the right direction.
Even if it doesn't mean much, it's one step closer to all the things we are fighting for.

Ok, read the whole article. There is some really interesting and really great things that were said. Things like "By creating a culture that punished violence and elevated women to their rightful role, “we can lay the foundation for lasting stability, where women are not victims of violence, but agents of peace”, he added." (He being the Secretary-General)
Now if only that could actually happen...

They declared rape a weapon of war, but weapons of war aren't illegal are they?

I mean, guns are weapons of wars. Bombs are weapons of wars. During wartime, weapons of war are what are used aren't they?

Am I missing something something?

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