Rape and sexual violence to be punished with sanctions
On the eve of International Women’s Day, the European Union (EU) is imposing sanctions against persons and entities guilty of sexual violence and large-scale violations of women’s rights.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, horrific reports have emerged about rape and other forms of sexual violence. Armed conflicts like the one in Ukraine or in South Sudan, often feature sexual violence, mainly targeting women and girls. Other targets include demonstrators, prisoners or the oppressed, such as in Iran, Myanmar, Syria or Afghanistan. The perpetrators of sexual violence often go unpunished, however.
This is the first time that the EU is standing up for the victims of sexual violence around the world in this particular way.
‘By imposing these sanctions, we’re sending a clear message to perpetrators that they won’t get away with their crimes,’ foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra said. ‘These horrific, inhuman acts have consequences. This is also a message to the victims: the EU will support you, wherever you are in the world.’
The package of measures adopted today imposes sanctions and on nine individuals and three organisations that the EU holds responsible for sexual violence and large-scale violations of women’s rights. Their assets in the EU will be frozen, the individuals concerned will no longer be able to enter the EU, and parties within the EU will not be permitted to provide services to them.
‘Sanctions are a powerful way for us to stand up for universal values and force international change,’ Mr Hoekstra said. ‘This sanctions package will discourage others from engaging in this behaviour.’
The EU package was adopted against the backdrop of International Women’s Day on 8 March. With its feminist foreign policy, the Netherlands works around the world to reduce inequality. The aim of such policy is not only to ensure that women are represented in political and other decision-making in a full, equal and meaningful way, but also that women should be able to live without fear of violence.
According to Mr Hoekstra, ‘This package of sanctions is not just a one-off event. We will not hesitate to expand the list to include other perpetrators of sexual violence.’
Originally published at https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2023/03/07/rape-and-sexual-violence-to-be-punished-with-sanctions-european-union
