The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and two Colombian human rights organizations have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate official impunity for sexual violence committed by state forces during Colombia’s long civil conflict. The groups’ ICC complaint alleges that the Colombian military uses sexual violence against women and girls as part of a deliberate strategy to undermine civilian support for guerilla forces. They argue the government of Colombia has done little or nothing to protect women or hold perpetrators accountable.
The two Colombian organizations that joined the ECCHR in filing the complaint with the ICC are Sisma Mujer and Colectivo de Abogados José Alvear Restrepo (Spanish language websites).
Compiled from: Maracani, Lisa, Peace in Colombia relies on tackling systemic violence against women, The Guardian (May 25, 2015); Sexualized violence in the Colombian conflict – a matter for the International Criminal Court, European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (April 2015).