News item | 07-03-2023 | 10:30 am
The European Union (EU) imposes sanctions on individuals and organizations responsible for sexual violence and large-scale violations of women’s rights. The EU announced this on March 7, 2023.
Sexual violence against women
During the war in Ukraine, terrible stories emerge about rape and other forms of sexual violence. In conflicts such as in Ukraine and South Sudan, sexual violence occurs regularly, especially against women and girls. Women’s rights are also seriously violated during demonstrations, imprisonment and oppression, such as in Iran, Myanmar, Syria or Afghanistan. Perpetrators of sexual violence often go unpunished.
With sanctions, EU countries want to take a new step: to show that such violations of human rights are not without consequences.
Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs: “With these sanctions we are sending a clear signal to those guilty of sexual violence that they cannot get away with it. These gruesome and degrading actions have consequences. We are also sending a signal to the victims: as the EU, we stand by these people, wherever they are in the world.”
Sanctions against those responsible for sexual violence
The EU comes with sanctions against 9 individuals and 3 organizations held responsible for sexual violence and large-scale violations of women’s rights. This step does not mean that it will only be with these individuals and organizations. In addition, the sanctions package is a new way to increase attention to sexual violence and to send a worldwide signal that such actions are unacceptable.
The persons and organizations that the EU holds responsible for sexual violence will be placed on a sanctions list. This means that their assets in the EU will be frozen, individuals will no longer be able to travel to the EU, and others within the EU will be prohibited from providing services to these people.
Minister Hoekstra: “Sanctions are an important means of standing up for universal values and enforcing change internationally. With this package we discourage others from displaying the same behaviour.”
Dutch international commitment to women’s rights
The EU sanctions package was adopted against the backdrop of International Women’s Day on 8 March. The Netherlands wants to reduce inequality and is committed to the equality of men, women and LGBTIQ people all over the world. The Netherlands has a feminist foreign policy for this purpose.
Feminist foreign policy ensures that more people have equal opportunities, and thereby contributes to a safe, stable and prosperous world. Feminist foreign policy focuses on an approach that looks at rights, participation, financing and taking into account the local context. The Netherlands will continue to work for this, also within the EU.
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