Created by Security Council resolution 1888 (2009), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC) is led by a Special Representative who serves as the United Nations’ spokesperson and political advocate on conflict-related sexual violence, and is the chair of the network UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The United Nations Team of Experts on Rule of Law/Sexual Violence in Conflict (TOE) is a tool at the disposal of the OSRSG-SVC to assist governments to deliver on their commitments, and particularly addressing the issue of impunity and accountability.
Established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1888 (2009), the TOE is as a multi-entity Team that brings together technical experts from the Office of the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist governments in conflict and post-conflict situations by strengthening their capacity to address conflict-related sexual violence. It focuses on assisting national institutions in the following main thematic areas, as they relate to sexual violence: criminal investigations and prosecution; collection and preservation of evidence; military justice system investigation and prosecution; criminal law reform and procedural law reform; protection of victims, witnesses and justice officials; and reparations for survivors of sexual violence.
The Team is guided by the belief that national ownership, leadership and responsibility are greatly enhanced when support builds on existing government initiatives. Its approach also promotes south-south cooperation, enabling countries facing similar sexual violence challenges to learn from each other’s good practices. In delivering its work, the TOE is supported by a roster of experts and a number of seconded experts.
