Together with survivors from around the world, Congolese activist will present plans for international reparations scheme at 28 November high-level event in The Hague
The Hague (5 November 2018) – Congolese Nobel Peace Laureate Dr Denis Mukwege will promote a global initiative to address the consequences of wartime sexual violence worldwide at a high-level event on 28 November in The Hague.
Together with survivors of sexual violence from more than ten conflict-affected regions worldwide, the Congolese surgeon and activist will present plans for the International Reparations Initiative – a global reparations scheme that recognises individuals and groups as victims, and provides assistance, such as financial compensation.
This event will be enhanced by the presence of Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, and bring together representatives of governments, donors and international organisations.
“We are convinced the meeting will lead to a strong commitment of the international community to address the consequences of rape as a weapon of war and prioritise the issue of reparations,” says Esther Dingemans, Director of the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation that organises the event.
The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg will deliver the key note address. During the event, sexual violence survivors and grass roots organisations from Colombia, Kosovo and Uganda will discuss with representatives of governments and experts, including UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the founder of the former Dutch minister for development cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen.
The event on 28 November, which is supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery, takes place during a five day conference of the Global Survivor Network. The group brings together women who experienced rape and other forms of sexual violence during wars worldwide, and gives them a platform to share experiences and develop strategies for joint activism.
Background
The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation is an international human rights organisation, dedicated to end wartime sexual violence worldwide. Together with its Special Adviser, the Congolese gynaecologist and activist Dr Denis Mukwege, the organisation works to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard, that they receive the care they need and are able to obtain reparations. The Mukwege Foundation has its main offices in The Hague and builds on the vision and experience of Dr Denis Mukwege, who received the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his international activism against the use of rape as a weapon of war.
***
Media advisory (not for publication)
Press photos and a press release will be distributed after the event.
Media contact:
Benjamin Duerr, Legal and Advocacy Officer
media@mukwegefoundation.org
Tel. +31 644565491
