Much to be done: towards an effective transitional justice model for dealing with conflict-related crimes of sexual and gender-based violence

Many countries in Africa have experienced conflicts characterized by gross human rights violations, including widespread and systematic sexual and gender-based violence. Several of these are currently grappling with the difficult issue of addressing the wrongs of the past while at the same time trying to secure a stable and democratic future. This study considers what an appropriate model of transitional justice should be in the African context, particularly as pertains to crimes of sexual and gender-based violence. This chapter will briefly illustrate the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations, particularly in Rwanda, note the legal developments made thus far, and establish the aim of this particular study. Many countries in Africa have experienced conflicts characterized by gross human rights violations, including widespread and systematic sexual and gender-based violence. Several of these are currently grappling with the difficult issue of addressing the wrongs of the past while at the same time trying to secure a stable and democratic future. This study considers what an appropriate model of transitional justice should be in the African context, particularly as pertains to crimes of sexual and gender-based violence. This chapter will briefly illustrate the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations, particularly in Rwanda, note the legal developments made thus far, and establish the aim of this particular study.

Publisher: University of Cape Town