Women and Torture

 

Suffering of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina needs international attention

Gender Concerns International urges the international community to provide justice to the women in Bosnia. 

During the Bosnian armed conflict that took place between March 1992 and November 1995 thousands of women and girls were physically assaulted, tortured and raped. Still the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina have not succeeded in providing justice for these women and girls.

 The Bosnian girls and women have been singled out for rape, imprisonment, torture and execution. There were numerous camps where girls repeatedly were raped. Bosnian women were specifically targeted as the rape against them was one of the many ways in which the Serb forces could assert their superiority and victory over the Bosnians. To this day, these victims have been denied justice.

In a report published today by Amnesty International, it states that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have neglected their obligation to provide justice and reparation to these victims of war crimes of sexual violence during the war. In doing so, the authorities have violated the human rights of these survivors. The government of BiH has failed to ensure justice and reparation for thousands of women who were raped during the war period of 1992-1995..

Due to unremitting failure to thoroughly investigate and prosecute crimes of sexual violence before international and national courts means that those responsible still manage to evade justice and remain unpunished. Therefore, Gender Concerns International emphasizes the importance of the need to provide justice to these women and girls. Antiquated discriminatory laws and procedures result in victims not being treated with dignity or given protection and support. However, for the greater part, these women have to face their tragedies every day rather than getting recognition and vital assistance they need to help them rebuild their lives.

 For this reason, Gender Concerns International urges the international community, gender justice organisations and other concerned individuals to take serious measures that will help end the suffering of the concerned Bosnian women and girls.