Vries

Sexual Violence Against Women in Congo; Obstacles and Remedies for Judicial Assistance

'Sexual violence against women in Congo, Obstacles and remedies for judicial assistance' is published as part of the Thoolen NJCM-Dissertation Award 2005. The thesis is written as part of the LLM 'International and European Protection of Human Rights', at Utrecht University. It regards the difficulties for victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo in finding justice, as a consequence of the wars of the last decade. Although international and national law may provide many safeguards against rape and sexual violence, actual implementation of the law is a far longer road. It requires a great deal of money, political pressure and stamina to bridge the gap between legal theory and harsh reality. The thesis is based on a gret number of interviews with local NGO's that try to assist victims of sexual violence. NGO activists and victims who dare to fight impunity often take great risks. The thesis attempts to give recommendations that may bring their goal one small step further.