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Human Rights Through The Rule of Law

Global Justice Center E-News November 2007


October 31st marked the seventh anniversary of the unanimous passage of Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 on women, peace and security. SCR 1325 mandates the inclusion of women in all aspects of decision making in conflict prevention, resolution and reconstruction as well as protection of women in situations of conflict and ending impunity for those crimes. Despite some progress, seven years after its implementation much more is needed to ensure that the requirements set forth in SCR 1325 are fully achieved. The GJC continues to push for greater recognition of SCR 1325 as legally binding and thus a means for enforcement of women's right to participate in all decision making processes as well as to redress and assure accountability for crimes perpetrated against them.

Our recent activities include:

  • NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security Presents on Accountability and Implementation of SCR 1325 at the Security Council Annual Open Debate The NGO Working Group, of which the Global Justice Center is a member, was selected to represent civil society in the Security Council open debate to review implementation of SCR 1325 on October 23, 2007. The Working Group called for more effective monitoring and reporting on the implementation of SCR 1325. The statement, delivered by Gina Torry, coordinator of the Working Group, stressed that seven years after the adoption of SCR 1325, women are still excluded from decision-making bodies and are subjected to widespread and systemic violence in situations of armed conflict.


    In addition, a number of countries referenced the need for criminal accountability for crimes of sexual violence. Sexual violence in Burma was specifically mentioned.

    For links to the NGO Working Group Statement, excerpts from country statements on criminal accountability, as well as references to Burma, please click here.

  • The GJC and GAPW Host Panel Discussion, "Ending Impunity, Forging Accountability: Implementation of SC Resolution 1325 in Burma" on October 26, 2007 Participants discussed the current situation in Burma and how the use of Security Council Resolution 1325 and international instruments, such as the ICC, arms embargoes, and the establishment of an Arms Trade Treaty, could influence the situation in Burma and protect women. Lwaye Ang Nang and L. Dwelling, for the Women's League of Burma, responded to Myanmar's statement at the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, stating that in Burma women simply want to "own their own bodies."

    For a summary of the panel, as well as copies of the presenters' speeches, please click here.

  • GJC Senior Counsel Andrea Friedman Attends Expert Meeting on Women, Peace and Security in Dakar, Senegal GJC Senior Counsel Andrea Friedman was invited by Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS) to an experts meeting in Dakar, Senegal on October 4th and 5th to review a study entitled "The Women's Movement for Peace and Security in Africa." She commented on international legal obligations to include women in peace and reconciliation processes under various international and regional mechanisms, including SCR 1325 and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

    For an overview of the event, please click here

  • "UNSCR 1325, Ways Forward", Panel discussion on implementation of SCR 1325 in Central Asia, October 25, 2007 Representatives from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan spoke about the current status of gender policymaking and challenges to women and security within the context of SCR 1325 in their respective countries.

    For more information, please click here.

Other materials from the GJC:


Janet Benshoof speaking at "Ending Impunity, Forging Accountability: Implementation of SC Resolution 1325 in Burma."

For a PDF version of this newsletter, please click here.