Project Description
/ European Training – EJTN & Stand Speak Rise Up!: Strengthening Legal Expertise on Rape as a Weapon of War
A major objective: to better understand, classify, and prosecute these crimes in order to ensure justice and protection for Survivors.
An unprecedented training
This first online session brought together more than 160 participants from over 12 nationalities, demonstrating the growing interest of European judges, lawyers and legal experts in this crucial topic.
In her opening remarks, Chékéba Hachemi, co-founder of Stand Speak Rise Up! alongside HRH the Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, reaffirmed the core mission of the association:
“We are only the visible part of the iceberg. The true heroines are the Survivors themselves.”
Her address introduced the work carried out by Stand Speak Rise Up! in the areas of justice, advocacy, and direct support to women affected by sexual violence in conflict.
Understanding rape as a weapon of war within the framework of international law
Participants then heard from Vaios Koutroulis, Professor of International Law, who provided essential insights into the legal classification of these crimes.
He explained how rape and sexual violence in situations of conflict may constitute:
- war crimes,
- crimes against humanity,
- and, in some cases, acts of genocide,
in accordance with international humanitarian law, international criminal law, and human rights law.
This legal perspective is crucial to combating impunity and strengthening the capacity of professionals dealing with these highly complex cases.
A session moderated by Charles-Eric Clesse: case law and international frameworks
The training was moderated by Charles-Eric Clesse, magistrate, Deputy Director of the Judicial Training Institute, and board member of Stand Speak Rise Up!.
Under his guidance, discussions focused on:
- international case law relating to sexual violence in conflict,
- key treaties and reference texts,
- human rights frameworks, particularly concerning sexual and reproductive violence,
- the persistent challenges in documenting, qualifying, and prosecuting these crimes.
This session provided legal practitioners with concrete tools to improve the judicial handling of these forms of violence and to strengthen the fight against impunity.
