European & International News

Global commitment to end sexual violence in conflict

[Brussels, 18 June 2014] From 10 to 13 June, London hosted the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. The UK Foreign Secretary and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, co-chaired the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict with a strong message: Sexual violence in conflict destroys lives and damages communities.

This was the largest gathering ever brought together on the subject, with 1,700 delegates and 129 country delegations including 79 Ministers. The Summit agreed practical steps to tackle impunity for the use of rape as a weapon of war, and to begin to change global attitudes to these crimes.

During the Summit there were over 175 public events in London, and an 84-hour global relay of events around the world. Find out more in the Summit blog, where you will also find the Chair’s summary of the Summit with key policy issues.

Closing the Summit, Angelina Jolie said:
“There is no doubt, after these four days, that we know what to do:

  • We need to entrench the international protocol, so that we begin to deter these crimes and end impunity.
  • We need to put survivors in the forefront of our efforts – not as victims, but as inspiring and resilient people who can guide us to the right choices and decisions.
  • We need to pool our expertise and close the gaps in our laws and capabilities.”

Read here the final press release.

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