[WSIS CS-Plenary] Violence against women and children: Stringent International Measure needed

[Dhiman Chowdhury]

Dear Friends,

I have been disheartened by the slow response of the world in both cases of Sudan and Bangladesh. According to BBC, more than 100 women being raped in a single attack carried out by Arab militias in Darfur in western Sudan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3549325.stm

As usual International entities including UN are slow in response. 

In Bangladesh, brutal gang rape has become almost a daily occurrence. Last year alone, more than 3,339 women and girls were subject to brutal violence for which 70% is the victims of brutal Gang Rape. 

HRCBM's CEDAW report at http://65.18.218.137/NEWLOOK/CEDAW1.pdf will depict the ever increasing nature of violence against women and children (girls) in Bangladesh.


Both in the case of Sudan and Bangladesh, the world authorities those who are responsible to monitor and uphold “rights” have once again proven to be ineffective.



Henceforth, I would like this opportunity to urge you and those who practice International law to take leading rule in revising International Law and creating an effective forum to develop a “Stringent International Law” to protect women and children around the world.



The proposed “stringent measure” to protect women and children throughout the world should consider mass gang rape, gang rape and abduction of women and children as the elements of crime for which criminals are punishable under International Law. 



As such, if required in case of lack of domestic remedies, International Criminal Court (ICC) will have the authority to decide in a "Special Bench meeting" to order Military intervention immediately if required. The measure can also bring UN Security Council closer to ICC for the immediate implementation of proposed measure.
 

Current process required the matter to be raised before ICC which may or may not be processed depending on its jurisdiction but I think it is a high time for International Community to create “Universal Jurisdiction” for ICC on the specific elements of crime as stated above.

The measure will deploy a monitoring body which will take effective and immediate action by a special bench at ICC to order immediate International Intervention should the aforementioned “Elements of Crime” indicates a consistent patter or it is mass as in the case of Sudan.


Let us give a careful thought on this matter considering the very challenging situations around the world. If such a measure is created, at least criminals will think twice before committing such a crime.

Hope that you will initiate a discussion on the subject.

 

Thanks

Dhiman Deb Chowdhury

President and Founder
HRCBM

http://www.hrcbm.org

http://www.hrtribune.com

 

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