More than 300 representatives of government, judiciary, NGOs and international organizations attended the official presentation of the International Protocol on the Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict at a conference held today in Sarajevo. The conference was opened by the British Ambassador to BiH, H.E. Edward Ferguson, BiH Presidency Member Mr. Bakir Izetbegovic and the Head of OSCE Mission in BiH, H.E. Jonathan Moore.

The Protocol supports first responders on the ground in conflict areas in documenting and investigating rape and sexual violence. It sets out the basic principles for the collection, documentation and storage of evidence and information of sexual violence as a crime under international law. The Protocol has been developed in collaboration with gender and sexual violence experts drawn from medical, justice, security, human rights and humanitarian fields.

The Protocol is not binding on states, and it is not a legal instrument. Rather, it is a practical guidance tool to support efforts by national and international practitioners to document sexual violence as a war crime, crime against humanity, or act of genocide. Depending on the context, the Protocol can be used by state or non-state actors, or both.

Download the complete Protocol here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/319054/PSVI_protocol_web.pdf