Access to justice and accountability

Peter ten Hove
31 maart 2020

This month:

  1. The Yazidi Legal Network
  2. Community of Practice Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16

Yazidi Legal Network

The Nuhanovic Foundation: Centre for War Reparations has perviously set up the Syria Legal Network. Based on this experience and learned best-practices, now the Yazidi Legal Network launched its website. This network enables research, raises awareness of and secures accountability for international crimes committed against the Yazidi in Syria and Iraq. The mission is to support Yazidis seeking accountability for international crimes committed against them. Through cooperation with national and international accountability mechanisms, NGO’s and legal experts the network promotes  recognition of the harm suffered and reparations for the victims.

Core activities of the network are:

  1. Building capacity amongst its members;
  2. Connecting the network, victims and witnesses with (inter)national law enforcement agencies and prosecutors;
  3. Collecting and storing data on international crimes, necessary for legal responses to harm inflicted.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16

The United Nations SDG16 promotes:

  1. peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development;
  2. providing access for justice for all; and,
  3. build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

On 6 March 2020 The Hague Humanity Hub hosted the first meeting of a Community of Practice aimed at making Sustainable Development Goal 16 tangible. This, by first exploring the common understanding of SDG 16 and by sharing knowledge amongst the participants. The outlines for a common action plan and way to proceed have now been presented, resulting in commitment for bi-monthly meetings. In addition, a LinkedIn group was set up: Community of Practice for SDG16.