The third challenge is accountability. States have the obligation to comply w...

The third challenge is accountability. States have the obligation to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law and to investigate and prosecute any serious crime committed within its borders. In that regard, we condemn sexual and gender-based violence, including the use of sexual violence as a military tactic. Impunity is not an option. It encourages perpetrators to continue their atrocious acts. The fight against impunity should be a common effort, in which the affected State delivers and ensures the conditions to bring about justice and the international community provides technical assistance and resources to such States. The Network stresses the importance of commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions, which can substantiate alleged violations, thus opening the way to a possible referral to the International Criminal Court or cooperation with the Court or similar mechanisms.