Acknowledging the Suffering Caused by State-Mandated Sexual Violence and Crimes: An Assessment of the Iraqi High Tribunal. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ranharter, Katherine; Stansfield, Gareth
• Is Part Of: Middle Eastern studies. Volume 52:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Gender justice -- rape -- Iraqi High Tribunal -- Al-Anfal -- Dujail; Middle East -- Periodicals; Moyen-Orient -- Périodiques; 956.005
• DOI: 10.1080/00263206.2015.1058255
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-3206

Abstract

Abstract : The Iraqi High Tribunal (IHT), as a mechanism of transitional justice, took upon it a pioneering role within the Middle Eastern Region by prosecuting and convicting several high-ranking members of the former suppressive regime in Iraq. As part of this work, the IHT confronted the widespread impunity for and disregard of gender-based crimes, such as rape and other sexual violence, and took steps towards reforming the sector through its progressive statute and the specific acknowledgment of gender crimes within its judgments. It will be the aim of the following article to extend academic writings on Iraq, the IHT and gender, by providing insights into how the tribunal dealt with the issues of rape and sexual violence, the surrounding circumstances and how successful the IHT's recognition of these crimes proved for transitional justice in Iraq.