Something new across the Rhine. On Wednesday, November 1, Germany’s center-left government approved a proposal from the Ministry of Justice that broadens the definition of war crimes to include sexual violence, sexual slavery and forced abortions committed in conflict zones.
Sexual violence as a tactical weapon
The text is clear: sexual violence in conflict zones, anywhere in the world, can now be prosecuted in German justice as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Lisa Paus, Minister of Family Affairs, spoke to AFP about the genesis of the bill. “Sexual violence, especially against women, has long been used in wars around the world and by terrorists as a tactical weapon. » The text has yet to be validated by the German parliament and was thought up following the horrors committed by the Russians in Ukraine, the minister explained.
As reported by AFP, war crimes and crimes against humanity they are defined in the Rome Statute of 1998 which established the International Criminal Court (ICC). A war crime covers more than 50 scenarios, including murder, torture, rape and even hostage-taking.
German justice has already prosecuted several times in its courts people accused of atrocities committed abroad, particularly in the context of the war in Syria. To do this, it uses universal jurisdiction, which allows countries to judge crimes of exceptional gravity, even if they were committed in another country.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
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