Parliament defends international investigation into crimes of sexual violence

The Assembly of the Republic this Friday approved a recommendation to the government to support the demand for an international investigation into crimes of sexual violence in the context of the war in Ukraine.

In a draft resolution signed by PS, PSD, IL, BE, PAN and Livre, Parliament declares that Portugal is “bound by international obligations condemning the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in any conflict” and in this context recommends that the Government “support the demand on the opening of an international investigation into crimes of sexual violence committed within the framework of the armed conflict in Ukraine”.

The initiative was voted on point by point at the request of the PKP, and this point received positive votes from all the benches and deputies, with the exception of the Communist bench, which abstained. The rest were approved unanimously.

The deputies also want that “as part of the reception of displaced Ukrainians”, Portugal “continues to provide all necessary support in terms of physical and mental health to people who are victims of sexual violence, and continues to take the necessary measures so that their testimony can be documented and transferred to the competent international bodies “.

With this initiative, the Assembly of the Republic also recommends that the government “continue to guarantee support for the sexual and reproductive health” of the refugees.

This draft resolution mentions that in the first half of last year, “the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has already registered more than one hundred allegations of sexual crimes, mainly against women and girls, committed in conflict zones in Ukraine.”

The deputies warn that “the persistence of the armed conflict in Ukraine exposes its civilian population to the continuation of these crimes and massive population displacement” and argue that “the protection of civilians is the responsibility of both the parties to the conflict and the international community.”

“The commitment of the Portuguese Republic to human rights requires that the country participate in exposing crimes against humanity and war crimes and be ready to provide social, legal and medical assistance to victims of crimes,” the resolution emphasizes, which also indicates that a year ago, in March 2022 2009, “the executive director of UN Women called for an independent investigation into sexual violence allegedly perpetrated by the Russian armed forces” in that country.

This Friday’s vote also unanimously approved another draft resolution, submitted by sole PAN member Ines de Souza Real, recommending that the government support “international initiatives aimed at condemning Afghanistan for decisions that systematically undermine women’s freedom.” choose their fate and exclude them from all aspects of public and political life.

By adopting this resolution, Parliament defends the “immediate repeal of decisions that ban girls, girls and women from attending secondary and higher education institutions” and asks that higher education institutions implement “programs for the admission and support of students, researchers and teachers from Afghanistan who are prevented from studying, are at risk or forced to move, facilitating solidarity and their inclusion in the academic context.”

The parliament also invites the government to “assess, together with the European Union, the establishment of a scholarship program for basic, secondary and higher education for Afghan girls and women, as well as the creation of a special regime to facilitate appropriate travel.” , granting refugee status and integration into Portuguese educational institutions”.