CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2015
| Author | Ahumuza, Charity Magara |
|---|---|
| Title | Maximizing Options: A Case for Alternative Justice Mechanisms for Survivors of Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Northern Uganda |
| Summary | The twenty years of conflict in Northern Uganda were characterized with gross human rights violations including murder and widespread sexual violence. The extent of sexual violence during the conflict negatively impacted the lives of the people in Northern Uganda. While the region currently enjoys relative peace, survivors of conflict-related sexual violence require justice for the violations they suffered. Government efforts to ensure justice for the survivors have focused on the use of formal criminal justice mechanisms with little attention paid to alternative forms of justice. This study argues that given the short comings of the formal justice system, the government should explore alternative justice mechanisms namely traditional justice systems, truth commissions and reparations. The study examines the role of alternative justice mechanisms in ensuring justice for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in the region. It asks; whether formal justice mechanisms effectively address the punitive and restorative justice needs of survivors, whether alternative justice mechanisms address punitive and restorative justice needs of survivors and whether the exclusive focus on women and girls as the only survivors of conflict-related sexual violence affects delivery of comprehensive justice to survivors. The study finds that formal criminal justice mechanisms have failed to effectively provide justice to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and that the exclusive focus on women and girls as survivors of conflict-related sexual violence also hinders access to justice for male survivors. Using Rwanda and Sierra Leone as case studies, the study recommends the use of alternative forms of justice which enjoy wide spread support among survivors in Northern Uganda and the need for a victim-centred and gender sensitive approach in designing alternative justice mechanisms for survivors. |
| Supervisor | Ajevski, Marjan |
| Department | Legal Studies LLM |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2015/ahumuza_charity.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University