Why we exist
What is reparation
The right to reparation is recognised in the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2005.
The Global Survivors Fund (GSF) operates according to the principle that the duty to provide reparation lies with the party responsible for perpetrating or failing to prevent the sexual violence, known as the duty-bearer. The support that we provide through interim reparative measures is not meant to release or replace duty-bearers from their legal obligation to provide reparation. Instead, what we provide is a stop-gap measure to meet the urgent needs of people when they need it most: now!
Forms of reparations
Restitution
Focuses on restoring survivors’ lives to the circumstances they were in prior to the violence, including restoration of enjoyment of human rights including civil status, employment, access to education, land, and property.
Compensation
Is a monetary payment to cover harms that can be economically assessed and quantified, such as continued medical costs and loss of livelihood, as well as compensating for other damages incurred, including moral damages.
Satisfaction
Includes the recognition of the status of individuals and communities as survivors of violations, actions to end ongoing violations, establishing the truth through different fact-finding initiatives, official declarations restoring the dignity of survivors such as a judgment handed down by a Court, apologies or acknowledgements of responsibility, commemoration and tributes to the victims, and issuing appropriate sanctions against perpetrators.
Rehabilitation
Provides survivors with all essential services required to live their life in a dignified way, including medical and psychological care, legal and social services, housing, and economic support through education and employment opportunities.
Guarantees of non-repetition
Actions that address the structural causes of violations, including any kind of discrimination, that seek to ensure that others do not suffer in the same way as survivors have suffered. This can be through law reform, human rights training for law enforcement officials, or sensitisation campaigns for communities.
Reparation is the right under international law that covers both victims of gross violations of international human rights law, and serious violations of international humanitarian law.
Reparations are the different forms in which reparation may be realised. Justice is a form of reparation but alone it is not sufficient to fulfil the right to reparation that survivors have.