Invisible Victims and "Invincible" Dictators
How the Failure to End Impunity in Failed and Criminal Regime States Threatens Global Peace and Security
Tuesday, October 6, 2009 -
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
UN Church Center
777 United Nations Plaza, 10th Floor
New York, NY
Sponsored by the Global Justice Center and the Women's League of Burma
To RSVP, email Laura Cheung at lcheung@globaljusticecenter.net or call 212.725.6530 x 215
This panel will outline the advances in international humanitarian law clarifying and broadening States' positive non-derogable legal obligations to take all measures possible when a third State engages in serious breaches of peremptory norms. (Such as impunity for perpetrating those heinous crimes covered by the International Criminal Court).
Panelists will discuss the serious consequences to both global security and the legitimacy of international law arising from States' individual and collective failure to comply with this legal imperative. Using Burma as an example, panelists will demonstrate how ongoing impunity for criminal dictators like Senior General Than Shwe prohibits victims from ever accessing their rights to justice, encourages an escalation in grave crimes and promotes criminal dictatorships.
Next, panelists will assess the impact of Security Council Resolutions SCR 1325 and SCR 1820 requiring gender equality measures be imposed in peacekeeping and transitional processes and ending impunity for rape and other sex crimes against women in conflict areas.
Finally, panelists will offer recommendations on how to "ensure" compliance with international humanitarian law and ask the audience to comment on those recommendations.
To download the invitation, please click here.