Anfal
The Iraq High Tribunal's (IHT) opinion in the Anfal trial represents a step forward for women's rights and international law in Iraq by recognizing the widespread sexual violence perpetrated by Saddam Hussein's regime. By discussing rape and sexual violence in the language of International law, the IHT enforced the right to justice of victims of these crimes. The courageous open testimony by women to various forms of sexual violence led to the court's acknowledgment that this type of violence was part of the widespread crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes committed by the regime, and not a private matter of family honor, as crimes of sexual violence have so often been regarded in the past.
For More information on the trial read the Global Justice Center White Paper: The Anfal Decision: Breaking New Ground for Women's Rights in Iraq