International Law and Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts

Sexual violence is a particular brand of evil that women have endured--more than men--during armed conflicts, through the ages. It is a menace that has continued to task the conscience of humanity--especially in our times. At the international level, basic laws aimed at it are not in short supply. What is needed more is a more conscious determination to enforce the existing laws: especially in the manner of more robust and creative interpretation and application.Beginning with an attempt at understanding evildoing during armed conflicts, from both the general perspective and the particular angle of sexual violence itself, this book explores ways of shoring up international legal protection of women from sexual violence in armed conflicts. Particular attention is paid to the responsibility that is triggered for superiors when subordinates commit SVIAC against women; the definition of rape in international criminal law; commission of genocide through sexual violence; sexual violence as comprised in the war crime of terrorism; sexual violence in internal armed conflicts as grave breaches of international humanitarian norms; forced marriage during armed conflicts as an emergent international crime; strategic prosecution of sexual violence as a method of national reconstruction in post-conflict societies; and reparation for women victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts.