Press Releases

NEW YORK  — The United Nations Security Council today passed a resolution urging an end to the crisis in Myanmar. Despite decades of human rights abuses by the military, including the 2017 genocide of the Rohingya and the 2021 military coup, today’s resolution is the first the Security Council has passed on the situation in Myanmar. Passed without opposition and three abstentions, the resolution “expressed deep concern” at the ongoing state of emergency imposed by the military and its impact on civilians. It stressed the need for humanitarian access to the country and the release of political prisoners. The resolution also set a timeframe for future Security Council attention, requesting a report from the UN Secretary General or the Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar by March 15, 2023.  Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, issued the following statement: “Today’s resolution is long overdue, but it’s still a critical step forward for a Security Council whose silence on Myanmar had long supported global inaction and continued a cycle of impunity in the face of staggering human rights abuses. We know the Security Council has a legal and moral responsibility to respond to the crisis in Myanmar. And this resolution offers some reassurance that Council members understand this fact. “However, we can’t deny that Council members missed an opportunity for more robust action. Most important was their failure to create a mechanism for regular reporting on the situation in Myanmar. This is a crisis that is continuously evolving and deepening. So it is urgent that Council members treat this resolution as a first step by developing a comprehensive and ongoing plan of action.”

NEW YORK — Over 200 nongovernmental organizations from around the world today called on the United Nations Security Council to immediately impose a global arms embargo on Myanmar in response to the military coup and ensuing human rights abuses. Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, issued the following statement: “The urgency of a global arms embargo in Myanmar cannot be overstated. Myanmar’s military has long been one of the world’s most notorious perpetrators of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence. Such violence has ramped up since the coup, with harrowing reports of torture and sexual violence against women and girl detainees. International arms sales fuel these ongoing military crimes and its past time UN Security Council members back up their rhetoric on women’s rights with concrete action.”

NEW YORK — During a briefing before the United Nations General Assembly today, Myanmar’s representative to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, denounced the coup carried out by his country’s military. He also urged the UN Security Council and international community to use “any means necessary” to hold the military accountable. Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, issued the following statement: “The world should applaud the bravery of Representative Kyaw Moe Tun for delivering such a powerful statement on behalf of the people of Myanmar, not the illegitimate military junta. The international community must reward such courage by taking up his call for immediate, decisive action to hold the military accountable. “The representative made his statement on behalf of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluuttaw (CRPH), composed of duly elected members of parliament, not the illegal military regime. The international community should support the will of the people of Myanmar by recognizing the CRPH and refusing to legitimize, normalize, or cooperate with the military government. “In defending his people and democracy on the world stage, the representative made it clear that the military poses an existential threat to the country and that the coup must fail. The path to a peaceful, democratic, and multi-ethnic Myanmar will require steps to financial isolation of the military and their access to arms, accountability for military crimes, and — perhaps most importantly — a new federal Constitution. “The people of Myanmar have spoken at great risk to their personal safety and security. Now is the time for the international community to stand with them and take forceful, concerted action.”

NEW YORK — The United Nations Security Council issued a press statement today in response to the military coup in Myanmar. The statement, drafted by current council president the United Kingdom, follows days of strained negotiations between council members. Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, had the following reaction: “It is some relief for the people of Myanmar that the UN Security Council finally took action today by agreeing on a statement concerning the military coup. But thanks to recent, historic levels of gridlock on the Council, the bar has been set far too low. If this statement is not followed by formal action, it is meaningless. “As a start, holding an open meeting on the crisis would build trust in the Council’s commitment to meaningful action and to execute its mandate to maintain international peace and security. Yet it is crucial the Council listens to communities most at risk in Myanmar, who have been clear from the beginning that targeted sanctions on the military and military owned companies, an arms embargo, and efforts to hold the military accountable are the concrete actions the international community must take to address this emergency. “The geopolitical reality between Council members is no doubt complicated. Yet it is certain that the Council’s continued failure to act will have dangerous ramifications for the people of Myanmar. Ethnic groups like the Rohingya, activists, and others who speak out against the military are at risk. The military must be shown that there are consequences for such brazen attacks on democracy. The Council is in a unique position to lead this charge for accountability and if it fails, the people of Myanmar are all the more likely to face another violent era of military dictatorship.”

NEW YORK — A United Nations Security Council resolution on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) failed to pass today after 10 countries abstained from the vote because the resolution failed to advance the agenda. The resolution effort was led by Russia, the Security Council president during the month of October. The countries abstained after the resolution fell below agreed language on human rights, the role of civil society, and women’s participation in peace processes. Adopted 20 years ago with Resolution 1325, WPS is an agenda that addresses the unique and disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls. Grant Shubin, legal director of the Global Justice Center, issued the following statement: “Every country who withheld its vote for this unnecessary and dangerous resolution should be applauded. The Women, Peace and Security agenda is anchored in human rights and this resolution could have turned back the clock on 20 years of progress. “Women in conflict-affected countries are suffering catastrophic impacts due to COVID-19. Any attack on this critical tool for advancing women’s health and rights is dangerous and we’re glad to see a diverse group of nations stand up for the agenda and its bold commitments to gender equality.”

NEW YORK — The United Nations Security Council held elections yesterday for five non-permanent seats on the council. Mexico, India, Ireland, Kenya, and Norway were elected for two-year terms. Grant Shubin, legal director of the Global Justice Center, had the following response: “We congratulate the new members on their election today and look forward to working with them on one of the most pressing issues facing the world today: gender inequality. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of Security Council Resolution 1325, which established the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Yet, despite advances, there is still an urgent need for progress on the agenda’s goals, especially relating to gender parity in power, prevention of sexual violence in conflict, and access to sexual and reproductive health services. “During a global pandemic that is dangerously exacerbating gender inequities all over the world, we need real commitments to full implementation of the agenda. Self-congratulatory statements and compromised resolutions simply will not do. For meaningful advancement on the agenda, we need bold action when the health and rights of all women, girls, and gender-non-conforming people are under attack.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— June 13, 2019 [NEW YORK, NY] - This week, the Trump Administration released the United States government’s latest strategy on women, peace and security (“WPS”).  While it contains lofty goals to advance women’s equality and political participation, these objectives are directly undermined by current US policies. “The Trump Administration’s stated commitment to advancing women’s equality through the WPS strategy is absurd,” says Global Justice Center President Akila Radhakrishnan. “In fact, this administration is actively harming women and girls around the world by expanding the Global Gag Rule, blocking language on access to life-saving healthcare services for war rape victims at the UN Security Council, and impeding international efforts at accountability for gender-based violence through its threats against the International Criminal Court. Until these policies, and others, change, this WPS strategy is not even worth the paper it’s printed on.” Especially concerning is regressive language indicating that the strategy will be guided by “the United States Government’s interpretation of the laws of armed conflict and International Human Rights Law.” The caveat perpetuates the Administration’s dangerous pattern of limiting the scope and interpretation of international laws. This worrying trend is evident in recent funding cuts to the Organization of American States⁠—due to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ work on sexual and reproductive rights⁠—and the newly established State Department Commission on Unalienable Rights. “States do not have unfettered discretion to determine the interpretation and scope of international law, largely because state practices often conflict with the standards imposed by such laws,” says Global Justice Center Deputy Legal Director Grant Shubin. “The Bush Administration violated international law on the use of torture, regardless of the long memos they produced attempting to justify practices like waterboarding as compliant with the laws of war.” Ultimately, the impact of the Trump Administration’s women, peace and security strategy will depend not on its language but on whether the Administration meaningfully carries forward its purported commitment to gender equality, which will require a reversal of its policies and postures in multi-lateral fora. *** Background: The WPS agenda originated in Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), where the Council recognized the disproportionate and unique impact of conflict on women and girls, and called for the integration of a gender perspective into peace and security efforts. The Obama Administration released the first US National Action Plan on women, peace and security in 2011, which was updated in 2016. The Trump Administration’s strategy follows the adoption of the Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017 by Congress, which specifically called for the creation of such a strategy. Global Justice Center (GJC) is an international human rights organization, with consultative status to the United Nations, dedicated to advancing gender equality through the rule of law. We combine advocacy with legal analysis, working to ensure equal protection of the law for women and girls. For more information contact: Liz Olson (New York), Global Justice Center, lolson@globaljusticecenter.net +1 212 725 6530 ext. 217

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 23, 2019 [NEW YORK, NY] – Today, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 2467 on Women, Peace and Security. Although the resolution purports to address the needs of victims of sexual violence in conflict, it contains no direct references to reproductive health—a key component of necessary and comprehensive medical care. This last-minute compromise was made to avoid a certain veto by the United States government. Over the past several months, the US made clear that it planned to oppose any UN documents that referenced sexual and reproductive health care. The language was stripped from the draft resolution less than a day before it was put before the Council, in a shameful concession to US hegemony. The German-led resolution underwent an intense drafting process as its champions worked to avoid vetoes from China, Russia, and the United States. Germany has made clear since the beginning of its membership on the Council that conflict-related sexual violence is a major priority. Though it began with an ambitious list of topics, the resolution as adopted by the Council was significantly pared back, particularly concerning women’s bodily autonomy and choice. Almost twenty years after the establishment of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the Council finds itself unable to deliver on its promises of non-discrimination and gender equality. While the resolution makes some notable advances in the areas of accountability, reparations, and access to justice, it leaves gaping omissions on several key topics in addition to reproductive health, including the protection of women human rights defenders and members of the LGBTQ community.  Its focus on men and boys is overly simplistic and fails to recognize that conflict-related sexual violence is itself an expression of masculinity and dominance, targeting its victims for highly gendered reasons. The red line that the Trump administration has placed around the inclusion of language on sexual and reproductive health is an extension of its years of concerted attacks on women's health and bodily autonomy around the world, ranging from the Global Gag Rule to the recent defunding of the Organization of American States. For the last decade, the Global Justice Center has been at the forefront of the campaign to ensure abortion access for victims of conflict related sexual violence as a matter of their right to non-discriminatory comprehensive healthcare under international law. GJC’s priority areas—demanding justice for sexual and gender based violence and fighting for reproductive rights—are twin pillars critical to ensuring the basic health, safety, and well-being for women and girls around the world. “There can be no justice for conflict-related sexual violence that ignores the basic rights of its victims,” says GJC President Akila Radhakrishnan. “This includes access to the full spectrum of necessary medical care, including abortion services.” *** Global Justice Center (GJC) is an international human rights organization, with consultative status to the United Nations, dedicated to advancing gender equality through the rule of law. We combine advocacy with legal analysis, working to ensure equal protection of the law for women and girls. For more information contact: Liz Olson (GJC, New York), lolson@globaljusticecenter.net +1 212 725 6530 ext. 217

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 21, 2017 [NEW YORK, NY] – Today, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UNSC Resolution 2379 (2017) on Daesh accountability, paving the way for an investigative team to collect evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Iraq. Since 2014, Daesh has been perpetrating a genocidal campaign against the Yazidi and potentially other ethnic minorities in Northern Iraq but yet to date no perpetrator has been held accountable for genocide. “The resolution today marks an important first step,” says Janet Benshoof, President of the Global Justice Center. “But the Security Council and Iraq must also fully implement their obligations under the UN Genocide Convention to prevent, suppress and punish genocide, including by rescuing the thousands of women and girls still held in captivity. The Council and UN Member States have been tiptoeing around even acknowledging the ongoing genocide against the Yazidi for years. This resolution is a long overdue first step to them fulfilling their obligations and upholding the promise of ‘Never Again.’” Sareta Ashraph, an international legal expert on genocide and gender and lead author of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria’s 2016 report “They came to destroy” says, “Women and girls are the living victims of this genocide. It is important not to treat the sexual violence crimes against Yazidi women and girls separate from the genocide, as they are an integral part. Daesh has employed all five prohibited acts detailed in the 1948 Genocide Convention.” Iraq does not have legislation to try war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide and is not a member to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Furthermore, current trials and prosecutions of Daesh fighters have been conducted solely under Iraq’s counter-terrorism law and the proceedings have been characterized by human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture and a lack of due process for the accused. “Justice and accountability are essential components of post-conflict transition and rebuilding,” says Benshoof. “For these trials to be viewed as legitimate and credible they must be conducted in line with international human rights standards.” Benshoof adds, “Prosecuting Daesh fighters for terrorism crimes only is like prosecuting Nazis solely for money laundering and not for war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. While you may meet the desire to put them in jail, you are not holding them accountable for the full range of crimes they committed and denying victims justice.” Benshoof further warns of one-sided justice: “Only prosecuting Daesh fighters reeks of victor’s justice. This is a start, but there must be a more comprehensive mechanism with the mandate to hold all perpetrators of crimes accountable, including Iraqi, Kurdish and Coalition forces and a resolution which fully acknowledges rape and other forms of sexual violence as an act of genocide.” For more information contact: Stephanie Olszewski (New York), Global Justice Center, solszewski@globaljusticecenter.net +1.212.725.6530 ext. 211 Background: The Global Justice Center is a human rights organization that advocates for a multi-faceted approach to accountability for crimes committed in Iraq and Syria, including in international, regional and national venues. In December 2015, the Global Justice Center filed an amicus letter in support of the Article 15 filing by Yazda and the Free Yazidi Foundation to the ICC. The letter urged the ICC to ensure that they employ a comprehensive gender perspective throughout any investigation or examination. In June 2017, the Global Justice Center made its second submission to the ICC, together with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, asking them to open a preliminary examination into genocide and other crimes committed by foreign fighters from Daesh.