Resolution 38/9.
Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed
conflict in the former Yugoslavia*
The Commission on the Status of Women,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 17/ the International Covenants on
Human Rights, 28/ the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination, 29/ the Convention on the Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 30/ the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 31/ the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 8/ the
Convention on the Rights of the Child 32/ and instruments of human rights and
international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of
12 August 1949 33/ and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, 34/
Recalling General Assembly resolution 3074 (XXVIII) of 3 December 1973,
entitled "Principles of international cooperation in the detection, arrest,
extradition and punishment of persons guilty of war crimes and crimes against
humanity",
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/77 of 9 March 1993,
entitled "Rape and abuse of women in the territory of the former Yugoslavia" 14/
and General Assembly resolution 48/143 of 20 December 1993, entitled "Rape and
abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia",
Appalled at the recurring and substantiated reports of widespread rape and
abuse of women and children in the areas of armed conflict in the former
Yugoslavia, in particular its systematic use against the Muslim women and
children in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Serbian forces,
Reaffirming the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular
resolution 798 (1992) of 18 December 1992 in which, inter alia, the Council
strongly condemned those acts of unspeakable brutality,
Noting with deep concern the reports on the findings of the Special
Rapporteur, 35/ regarding rape and abuse of women in the territory of the
former Yugoslavia, particularly in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina,
*
For the discussion, see chap. IV.
28/
Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
29/
Resolution 2106 A (XX), annex.
30/
Resolution 260 A (III).
31/
Resolution 39/46, annex.
32/
Resolution 44/25, annex.
33/
United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970-973.
34/
Ibid., vol. 1125, Nos. 17512 and 17513.
35/
E/CN.4/1994/47.
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