U.N. notes end of gender violence campaign

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.N. officials called on countries to ensure a right to justice for victims of wartime sexual violence, as well as accountability for the perpetrators.

"Truth, justice and accountability are key in upholding the human rights of women and their right to a life free from violence, particularly in countries in post-conflict situations," Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo and the secretary-general's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, said Monday in a statement marking the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign that began Nov. 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and ended Human Rights Day, which was Monday this year, the United Nations said in a release. The dates were selected to symbolically link violence against women and human rights, as well as emphasize such violence is a human rights violation.

Besides ensuring survivors have access to civil and criminal remedies, and access to protective and rehabilitative services, Manjuu and Bangura said reparations should include restorative justice "and the need to address the pre-existing inequalities, injustices, prejudices and biases or other societal perceptions and practices that enabled violations to occur."