Sexual Crimes in Conflict Database

A collection of relevant literature and case law

Showing all 9 results.
  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ECCC - Khieu Samphan (“Nuon Chea et al.”)

    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Achievements and Challenges of Sexual Violence Prosecution Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Cambodia
    Keywords
    Acts of a Sexual Nature Coercion Consent Common Purpose Detention Centers Forced Marriage Severance of Charges Systematic Attack

    Reference link
    http://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/indicted-person/khieu-samphan
    Type of mechanism
    Hybrid court
    Name of mechanism
    Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
    Name of accused
    Khieu Samphan
    Charges
    Khieu Samphan was charged, in the closing order (indictment) of 15 September 2010, with: - Rape as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. - Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage and rape. Both for committing (via a joint criminal enterprise), planning, instigating, ordering, or aiding and abetting, or by virtue of superior responsibility punishable under Article 29(new) of the ECCC Law.
    Trial chamber verdict
    However, the accused appealed the closing order stating that during the relevant time (1975-1979), rape was not yet applicable as an enumerated crime under crimes against humanity. The Pre-Trial Chamber agreed that during that time period rape was not a crime in its own, but ruled that the facts described as rape can be subsumed as ‘other inhumane acts’. Accordingly, on 13 January 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber struck rape as a crime against humanity from the indictment. On 22 September 2011 the Trial Chamber severed Case 002 in two trials. The first trial of Case 002 was limited to forced transfers of the population. The second trial of Case 002 includes forced marriage and rape (nationwide) as crimes against humanity (under other inhumane acts), as decided per the Trial Chamber’s decision of 4 April 2014 (thus the charges were (geographically) expanded in the sense that forced marriage and rape were now charged nationwide, which was not the case before). Trial hearings in Case 002/02 commenced on 17 October 2014 and the presentation of evidence started on 8 January 2015. On 16 November 2018, the Trial Chamber of the court announced its judgment convicting former Khmer Rouge senior leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea and of genocide, crimes against humanity (including the specific crime of other inhumane acts through conduct characterised as forced marriage and rape in the context of forced marriage), and grave breaches of the Geneva Convention. In the judgment the Chamber found that “there existed a nationwide policy to regulate family-building and marriage, which was implemented by Party cadres at all administrative and military levels. The CPK designed this policy, replacing the role of parents in the selection of a suitable spouse, forcing couples to marry and forcing the production of children, for the purpose of increasing the country’s population within 10 to 15 years”.
    sentencing
    The Trial Chamber sentenced the accused, Khieu Samphan to life imprisonment. Taking into consideration the already imposed life sentence on Samphan in Case 002/01, the Chamber merged the two sentences into a single term of life imprisonment.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    Case 002

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ECCC - Nuon Chea (“Nuon Chea et al.”)

    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Achievements and Challenges of Sexual Violence Prosecution Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Cambodia
    Keywords
    Acts of a Sexual Nature Coercion Consent Detention Centers Forced Marriage Common Purpose Severance of Charges Systematic Attack

    Reference link
    https://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/indicted-person/nuon-chea
    Type of mechanism
    Hybrid court
    Name of mechanism
    Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
    Name of accused
    Nuon Chea
    Charges
    Nuon Chea was charged, in the closing order (indictment) of 15 September 2010, with: - Rape as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. - Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage and rape. Both for committing (via a joint criminal enterprise), planning, instigating, ordering, or aiding and abetting, or by virtue of superior responsibility punishable under Article 29(new) of the ECCC Law.
    Trial chamber verdict
    However, the accused appealed the closing order stating that during the relevant time (1975-1979), rape was not yet applicable as an enumerated crime under crimes against humanity. The Pre-Trial Chamber agreed that during that time period rape was not a crime in its own, but ruled that the facts described as rape can be subsumed as ‘other inhumane acts’. Accordingly, on 13 January 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber struck rape as a crime against humanity from the indictment. On 22 September 2011 the Trial Chamber severed Case 002 in two trials. The first trial of Case 002 was limited to forced transfers of the population. The second trial of Case 002 includes forced marriage and rape (nationwide) as crimes against humanity (under other inhumane acts), as decided per the Trial Chamber’s decision of 4 April 2014 (thus the charges were (geographically) expanded in the sense that forced marriage and rape were now charged nationwide, which was not the case before). Trial hearings in Case 002/02 commenced on 17 October 2014 and the presentation of evidence started on 8 January 2015. On 16 November 2018, the Trial Chamber announced its judgment convicting former Khmer Rouge senior leaders Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea and of genocide, crimes against humanity (including the specific crime of other inhumane acts through conduct characterised as forced marriage and rape in the context of forced marriage), and grave breaches of the Geneva Convention. In the judgment the Chamber found that “there existed a nationwide policy to regulate family-building and marriage, which was implemented by Party cadres at all administrative and military levels. The CPK designed this policy, replacing the role of parents in the selection of a suitable spouse, forcing couples to marry and forcing the production of children, for the purpose of increasing the country’s population within 10 to 15 years”.
    sentencing
    The Trial Chamber sentenced Nuon Chea to life imprisonment. Taking into consideration the already imposed life sentence on Nuon Chea in Case 002/01, the Chamber merged the two sentences into a single term of life imprisonment.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    Case 002

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICC - Dominic Ongwen

    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Achievements and Challenges of Sexual Violence Prosecution
    Country
    Uganda
    Keywords
    Forced Marriage Severance of Charges Enslavement Amended Indictment Rape as Crime Against Humanity

    Reference link
    https://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/situations%20and%20cases/situations/situation%20icc%200204/related%20cases/ICC-02_04-01_15/Pages/default.aspx
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Court
    Name of accused
    Dominic Ongwen
    Charges
    The arrest warrant of 2005 does not charge Ongwen with sexual violence crimes. However, the Prosecution formally requested, on 24 September 2015, to bring additional charges against Ongwen, including sexual and gender based crimes. The confirmation of charges hearing is schedule for 26 January 2016 and then the Chamber will decide upon this request. The additional sexual and gender based crimes brought against Ongwen include: - Forced marriage, an inhumane act of a character similar to the acts set out in articles 7(1)(a)-(j), as a crime against humanity, pursuant to articles 7(1)(k), and 25(3)(a), or (b)or(d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Torture as a crime against humanity, pursuant to articles 7(1)(f) and 25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Torture as a war crime, pursuant to articles 8(2)(c)(i) and 25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Rape as a crime against humanity, pursuant to articles 7(1) (g) and 25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Rape as a war crime, pursuant to articles 8(2)(e)(vi) and 25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Sexual slavery as a crime against humanity, pursuant to articles 7(1)(g) and25(3)(a), or (b)or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; - Sexual slavery as a war crime, pursuant to articles 8(2)(e)(vi) and 25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005; and - Enslavement as a crime against humanity, pursuant to articles 7(1)(c) and25(3)(a), or (b) or (d), or 28, of the Rome Statute, from at least July 2002 to December 2005 (see paras. 32-35 of Public redacted version of “Notice of intended charges against Dominic Ongwen”, 18 September 2015, ICC-02/04-01/15-305-Conf).
    Status
    2778
    Case number
    ICC-02/04-01/15

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTR - Andre Rwamakuba

    Year
    2006
    Issues
    Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Rwanda
    Keywords
    Acquittal Severance of Charges

    Reference link
    http://unictr.unmict.org/en/cases/ictr-98-44c
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
    Name of accused
    Andre Rwamakuba
    Charges
    When Rwamakuba was jointly indicted with three co-Accused, all were charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to genocide, genocide, or alternatively complicity in genocide, rape and extermination as crimes against humanity, and serious violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions under Articles 6(1) and 6(3).
    Trial chamber verdict
    The Prosecution requested a severance of the trial and then charged Rwamakuba with genocide, complicity in genocide, and murder and extermination as crimes against humanity; thus no longer with sexual violence. Rwamakuba is acquitted on all counts on 20 September 2006.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    ICTR-98-44C

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ECCC - Ieng Sary (“Nuon Chea et al.”)

    Year
    2013
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Cambodia
    Keywords
    Aiding and Abetting Coercion Common Purpose Consent Forced Marriage Death of Accused Ordering/Instigating Severance of Charges

    Reference link
    https://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/indicted-personpage/ieng-sary
    Type of mechanism
    Hybrid court
    Name of mechanism
    Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
    Name of accused
    Ieng Sary
    Charges
    Ieng Sary was charged, in the closing order (indictment) of 15 September 2010, with: - Rape as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. - Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. Both for committing (via a joint criminal enterprise), planning, instigating, ordering, or aiding and abetting, or by virtue of superior responsibility punishable under Article 29(new) of the ECCC Law.
    Trial chamber verdict
    However, the accused appealed the closing order stating that during the relevant time (1975-1979), rape was not yet applicable as an enumerated crime under crimes against humanity. The Pre-Trial Chamber agreed that during that time period rape was not a crime in its own, but ruled that the facts described as rape can be subsumed as ‘other inhumane acts’. Accordingly, on 13 January 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber struck rape as a crime against humanity from the indictment. On 22 September 2011 the Trial Chamber severed Case 002 in two trials. The first trial of Case 002 was limited to forced transfers of the population. The second trial of Case 002 includes forced marriage and rape (nationwide) as crimes against humanity. Trial hearings in Case 002/02 commenced on 17 October 2014 and the presentation of evidence started on 8 January 2015. The proceedings against Ieng Sary were, however, terminated on 14 March 2013, following his death the same day.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    Case 002

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICC - Germain Katanga

    Year
    2014
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Modes of Liability Sentencing and Reparations Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
    Keywords
    Acquittal Common Purpose Forced Marriage Forced Nudity Definition of Rape Withdrawal of Charges Severance of Charges

    Reference link
    https://www.icc-cpi.int/drc/katanga
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Court
    Name of accused
    Germain Katanga
    Charges
    Initially, Katanga was charged (together with Chui) with crimes against humanity and war crimes, including sexual slavery, committed on 24 February 2003 during the attack on the village of Bogoro, in the Ituri district of the DRC. Although subsequent events resulted in withdrawal of the sexual slavery counts as evidence from two victims/witnesses of sexual violence substantiating these counts was excluded by the Court because of security concerns, a change in their security situation made it possible for the Prosecutor to reinstate the sexual slavery as a crime against humanity and a war crime counts and add charges of rape as a crime against humanity and a war crime as well as outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime on 12 June 2008 (Prosecution’s Submission, 12 June 2008). According to the amended document containing the charges, in its section elaborating on ‘sexual offences’ (Prosecution’s Amended Document, 12 June 2008, para. 89): “women, who were captured at Bogoro and spared because they hid their ethnicity, were raped, sexually enslaved or humiliated. Threatened with death by the combatants, one woman was stripped and forced to parade half naked in front of them. Others were raped and forcibly taken to military camps. Once there, they were sometimes given as a ‘wife’ to their captors or kept in the camp’s prison, which was a hole dug in the ground. The women detained in these prisons were repeatedly raped by soldiers and commanders alike and also by soldiers who were punished and sent to prison. The fate reserved to captured women was widely known. Shortly after the Bogoro attack, KATANGA saw one of the imprisoned women detained in such conditions in one of the FRPI camps.” On 30 September 2008, the Chamber confirmed the charges against Katanga (and Chui) for rape and sexual slavery as crimes against humanity and war crimes under Article 25(3)(d), but declined to confirm the charge of outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime as, the Chamber held, the link to the suspect was lacking (Decision on the Confirmation of Charges, 30 September 2008). On 21 November 2012, the Court severed the charges against Katanga and Chui.
    Trial chamber verdict
    The Judgement against Katanga was pronounced on 7 March 2014 and although he was convicted for several other crimes against humanity and war crimes under Article 25(3)(d), he was acquitted for the sexual violence charges. The Chamber unanimously found Katanga not guilty of contributing to the acts of sexual violence as they did not believe these crimes formed part of the common purpose of the attack, unlike the crimes of directing an attack against a civilian population, pillage, murder and destruction of property as war crimes/crimes against humanity.
    sentencing
    A total sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment was given on 23 May 2014 (for other charges).
    Appeals chamber verdict
    On 13 November 2015, a Panel of three Judges of the Appeals Chamber, specifically appointed by the Appeals Chamber, reviewed Katanga’s sentence and decided to reduce it. Accordingly, the date for the completion of his sentence was set to 18 January 2016. Decisions on possible victim reparations, which might have an impact on victims of sexual violence, will be rendered later.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    ICC-01/04-01/07

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTR - Callixte Nzabonimana

    Year
    2014
    Issues
    Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Rwanda
    Keywords
    Severance of Charges Amended Indictment

    Reference link
    http://www.unictr.org/en/cases/ictr-98-44d
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
    Name of accused
    Callixte Nzabonimana
    Charges
    At his initial appearance, on 20 February 2008, Nzabonimana pled not guilty to all eleven counts against him: conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, murder, extermination, rape, persecution and inhumane acts as crimes against humanity, violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons and outrages upon personal dignity as serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II.
    Trial chamber verdict
    On 7 November 2008, the Chamber granted the Prosecution’s motion for severance of the case and amendment of the indictment. On 12 November 2008, the Prosecution filed an Amended Indictment, charging Nzabonimana with five counts: genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and extermination and murder as crimes against humanity in Gitarama prefecture during the events of April to July 1994 in Rwanda. The sexual violence charge (rape as a crime against humanity) was thus taken out.
    sentencing
    Nzabonimana received a sentence of life imprisonment on 29 September 2014 (for other charges).
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    ICTR-98-44D

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ECCC - Ieng Thirith (“Nuon Chea et al.”)

    Year
    2015
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Female Perpetrators of Sexual Violence Procedural Rules Advancing Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Cambodia
    Keywords
    Aiding and Abetting Coercion Common Purpose Consent Death of Accused Ordering/Instigating Severance of Charges

    Reference link
    https://www.eccc.gov.kh/en/indicted-personpage/ieng-thirith
    Type of mechanism
    Hybrid court
    Name of mechanism
    Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)
    Name of accused
    Ieng Thirith
    Charges
    Ieng Thirith was charged, in the closing order (indictment) of 15 September 2010, with: - Rape as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. - Other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, which included forced marriage. Both for committing (via a joint criminal enterprise), planning, instigating, ordering, or aiding and abetting, or by virtue of superior responsibility punishable under Article 29 (new) of the ECCC Law.
    Trial chamber verdict
    However, the accused appealed the closing order stating that during the relevant time (1975-1979), rape was not yet applicable as an enumerated crime under crimes against humanity. The Pre-Trial Chamber agreed that during that time period rape was not a crime in its own, but ruled that the facts described as rape can be subsumed as ‘other inhumane acts’. Accordingly, on 13 January 2011, the Pre-Trial Chamber struck rape as a crime against humanity from the indictment. On 22 September 2011 the Trial Chamber severed Case 002 in two trials. The first trial of Case 002 was limited to forced transfers of the population. The second trial of Case 002 includes forced marriage and rape (nationwide) as crimes against humanity. Trial hearings in Case 002/02 commenced on 17 October 2014 and the presentation of evidence started on 8 January 2015. However, Ieng Thirith was found unfit to stand trial, and the Trial Chamber stayed the proceedings against her. She was released from provisional detention on 16 September 2012. The Supreme Court Chamber subsequently imposed a regime of judicial supervision. Ieng Thirith died on 22 August 2015.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    Case 002

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICC - Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui

    Year
    2015
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Evidentiary Rules Regarding Sexual Violence Prosecutions Achievements and Challenges of Sexual Violence Prosecution
    Country
    Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
    Keywords
    Acquittal Insufficient Evidence Forced Marriage Forced Nudity Severance of Charges Withdrawal of Charges

    Reference link
    https://www.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/icc/situations%20and%20cases/situations/situation%20icc%200104/related%20cases/ICC-01-04-02-12/Pages/default.aspx
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Court
    Name of accused
    Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui
    Charges
    Initially, Chui was charged (together with Katanga) with crimes against humanity and war crimes, including sexual slavery, committed on 24 February 2003 during the attack on the village of Bogoro, in the Ituri district of the DRC. Although subsequent events resulted in withdrawal of the sexual slavery counts as evidence from two victims/witnesses of sexual violence substantiating these counts was excluded by the Court because of security concerns, a change in their security situation made it possible for the Prosecutor to reinstate the sexual slavery as a crime against humanity and a war crime counts and add charges of rape as a crime against humanity and a war crime as well as outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime on 12 June 2008 (Prosecution’s Submission, 12 June 2008). According to the amended document containing the charges, in its section elaborating on ‘sexual offences’ (Prosecution's Amended Document, 12 June 2008, para. 89): “women, who were captured at Bogoro and spared because they hid their ethnicity, were raped, sexually enslaved or humiliated. Threatened with death by the combatants, one woman was stripped and forced to parade half naked in front of them. Others were raped and forcibly taken to military camps. Once there, they were sometimes given as a ‘wife’ to their captors or kept in the camp’s prison, which was a hole dug in the ground. The women detained in these prisons were repeatedly raped by soldiers and commanders alike and also by soldiers who were punished and sent to prison. The fate reserved to captured women was widely known. Shortly after the Bogoro attack, KATANGA saw one of the imprisoned women detained in such conditions in one of the FRPI camps.” On 30 September 2008, the Chamber confirmed the charges against Chui (and Katanga) for rape and sexual slavery as crimes against humanity and war crimes under Article 25(3)(a), but declined to confirm the charge of outrages upon personal dignity as a war crime as, the Chamber held, the link to the suspect was lacking (Decision on the Confirmation of Charges, 30 September 2008). On 21 November 2012, the Court severed the charges against Katanga and Chui.
    Trial chamber verdict
    On 18 December 2012, Trial Chamber II acquitted Chui of the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. It was found not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Chui was the commander of the Lendu combatants during the attack on Bogoro in Ituri, Eastern DRC on 24 February 2003, as charged by the ICC. Rather, the evidence supported the finding that he held the role of a commander in March 2003, after the February attack on Bogoro.
    Appeals chamber verdict
    On 21 December 2012, Chui was released from custody. On 27 February 2015, the Appeals Chamber confirmed, by majority, Trial Chamber II’s decision of 18 December 2012 acquitting Chui.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    ICC-01/04-02/12

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