23rd January 2023

Sexual violence laws in Eurasia: Towards a consent-based definition

End sexual violence Europe and Central Asia

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This report examines legal provisions relating to sexual violence in five Eurasian countries – Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The research identifies shortfalls in the way that sexual violence crimes are defined under the law and highlights how existing laws are being poorly enacted throughout these criminal justice systems. Amendments to these provisions are suggested, as well as ways, pending legal reform, in which the current provisions could be interpreted to ensure effective compliance with international and regional human rights standards, which are binding on the States under review.

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Key recommendations

Explore:

  • An overview of international and regional standards and best practices for how sexual violence offences should be defined and interpreted.
  • The definitions of sexual violence crimes under the national laws of Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan underline the challenges in implementing these provisions.
  • How existing legislation in these countries should be amended to comply with regional and international human rights standards, and explain how current legislation could be interpreted to ensure better access to justice for victims/survivors now.

About

23 January 2023

38 pages

Languages

EN

GE

RU

Classification

Reports
End sexual violence
Europe and Central Asia

More information

For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org.

Read more in our press release.

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