Rwandan genocide survivors at a memorial service.
Post Conflict Justice
Torture and related international crimes are used extensively and routinely in conflict and continue even after the conflict ends. Since its establishment, REDRESS has assisted survivors of torture and related international crimes in post-conflict contexts to seek justice and redress. The context of conflict impacts upon the nature and forms of torture, the types of perpetrators (state and non-state actors) as well as the nature and position of the victims (children, women, displaced persons). During conflict, torture is rarely perpetrated in isolation, but forms part of a broader pattern of human rights abuse.
Survivors have rights to effective remedies and reparation under international law. However, survivors' rights and interests are generally negatively impacted in post conflict contexts. Ensuring that accountability is made part of peace negotiations is sensitive. Furthermore, the difficult living conditions that most survivors find themselves in make it hard for them to access information about their rights and available mechanisms for redress. REDRESS' work includes:
Outreach, capacity building and empowering survivors through network building and strengthening local survivor groups in a sustainable manner. Initiatives include:
- Facilitation of the Victims' Rights Working Group, an active network of NGOs and experts advancing victims' rights before the International Criminal Court;
- Supporting the establishment and work of the Uganda Victims Foundation, a Ugandan network of victim-focused organisations covering the 14 districts of Northern Uganda.
-
Capacity building on gender-specific reparations in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Providing expertise to local groups to inform and influence policy and law at national level, to ensure compliance with international standards and inclusion of survivors’ rights and perspectives. Areas of expertise include:
- Victims' rights in peace negotiations,
- Victims' rights in National transitional justice mechanisms;
-
Victims' rights in International Justice, including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Advocacy to influence policy, practice and jurisprudence of national or international justice mechanisms operating in relation to the post conflict context, to enable victims to exercise their rights:
- International Criminal Court
- Extraordinary Chambers in Cambodia
- Special Court for Sierra Leone
