Australia’s Joint Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade is undertaking an inquiry into the rights of women and girls around the world. The inquiry is being handled by the subcommittee on human rights. Public hearings for the inquiry began in August. Prosecute; don’t perpetrate made a submission drawing on General Recommendation 30 from the Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women; the Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (WPS); Australia’s national action plans on WPS and modern slavery; and the international criminal legal framework. The submission provides context for the inquiry into efforts so far to bring justice for women and girls who have experienced conflict related sexual violence, the broader experience of the Yazidi community and the legal and policy context. It then provides detail for Australian specific case studies and ends with recommendations for the government to move toward ending impunity for conflict related sexual violence in accordance with its obligations under international law and help meet the rights of women and girls internationally and at home.

You can download the submission here.