Introduction Using the International Protocol INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL INTRODUCTION

Introduction – Using the International Protocol INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOL, INTRODUCTION PAGES 10 -12 Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015

What is the International Protocol? An overview of basic principles for the investigation or documentation of conflict-related sexual violence It is intended as a practical guide to contribute to greater accountability for crimes of sexual violence Part 1 (Modules 1 -2) explains what sexual violence is and how it can constitute an international crime Part 2 (Modules 3 -9) covers practical documentation skills, including planning, interviewing and dealing with evidence Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015

What is the purpose of the Protocol? Increasing accountability Improving standards Practical guidance Not just criminal prosecutions More investigation and documentation of sexual violence Relevant investigation/ documentation skills Civil claims, human rights litigation, reparations Post-conflict justice mechanisms Advocacy, awareness, public campaigning Higher standard of evidence/information collected Better understanding of international legal requirements Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015 Planning and methodology Safe and effective interview skills Evidence/ information management

Why is it important? Sexual violence is too often ignored or overlooked – making sure that it is prioritised, understood and properly investigated or documented can help prevent impunity Many practitioners do not know how to safely and effectively investigate and document sexual violence crimes Better understanding leads to more appropriate responses to survivors, better practice and stronger information/evidence Stronger information/evidence leads to more accountability, more access to justice for victims and more effective advocacy Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015

Who can use the Protocol? ANYONE WHO IS DOCUMENTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY PURPOSES NGOs & civil society groups Human rights monitors International investigators Judicial officers National authorities Advocacy & survivor groups Journalists/ investigative reporters Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015 Humanitarian organisations

How to use the Protocol As a practical guide for fundamental investigation/documentation skills To improve understanding of the legal elements of international crimes As an overview of basic standards of international best practice To highlight the impact and challenges of conflict-related sexual violence As a guide to appropriate professional responses to survivors/witnesses To collect stronger evidence/information to pursue more accountability Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015

Limitations of the Protocol The Protocol is not intended to be a rulebook or to impose universal standards for investigation/documentation The principles contained in the Protocol represent a baseline of international best practice on how to investigate/document acts of sexual violence in a competent and effective way Each jurisdiction will have its own specific legal definitions, cultural challenges and procedural/evidentiary requirements THE PRINCIPLES IN THE PROTOCOL MUST BE ADAPTED TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR OWN CONTEXT Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015

Terminology INVESTIGATION/ DOCUMENTATION SURVIVORS/ VICTIMS Investigation involves a search for facts and evidence to make findings about responsibility Documentation is the collection of relevant, reliable information to explain or describe events Many people who have been through sexual violence prefer to see themselves as survivors, not victims CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE SEXUAL/ GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Can occur as part of an armed conflict or widespread human rights abuses, not only in wartime Difference is explained in greater detail in Module 1 – Understanding Sexual Violence Amounts to an international crime (i. e. war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide) Same investigation/ documentation principles are relevant to both Survivors can also be victims and witnesses in a legal sense, so those words will be used where relevant Training Materials on the International Protocol © Institute for International Criminal Investigations 2015