Post-Conflict Culture of Impunity that Allows VAW Leaves Women in Uganda at Extreme Risk
As we pointed out last week in reference to Sierra Leone, the violence against women that is exacerbated by military conflict continues long after the cessation of official hostilities and a new report from Amnesty documents the same phenomenon in Uganda.
According to IRIN,
“Amnesty International has accused Uganda’s justice system of “tacitly condoning and protecting suspected perpetratorsâ€? of rape and other sexual abuses against women and girls in the north of the country.
“The horrific violence committed during the many years of conflict in northern Uganda continues to aggravate discrimination against women and girls in the area today,” Godfrey Odongo, a Kampala-based researcher for the human rights organisation said on 30 November during the launch of its latest report, Uganda: Justice System Fails Victims of Sexual Abuse.”
As the report makes clear, the culture of impunity that is created by the breakdown of civil government leaves women open to attack by just about everyone with no recourse for justice when violations take place.
“”Many are afraid to report rape and other forms of violence, not only because of intimidation, hostility and ridicule from the community, but also due to state inaction in ensuring redress,â€? Amnesty said.
The report added: “Testimonies by victims show a range of perpetrators including UPDF [national army] soldiers, law enforcement officers, local council leaders and civilian persons, spouses and relatives of female victims of violence.â€?”
Filed under: Uncategorized, Atrocities
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