Date: 12-06-2023
Time: 14.00-17.00hrs CEST
Location: Ministry of Justice and Security
Address: Turfmarkt 147, 2511 DP, The Hague

Dear Signatory to the NAP 1325, 

The ministry of Justice and Security together with the ministry of Foreign Affairs and WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform, cordially invite you to the upcoming bi-annual NAP 1325 Signatory Event happening on Monday June 12th, 14.00-17.00 CEST. 

In the run up to the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, this summer’s Signatory Event will focus on safeguarding women and girls in and from conflict zones: what are effective (new) instruments to fight impunity for international crimes, such as sexual violence in conflict? What are lessons identified on protecting women and girls, including survivors of conflict related violence in the Dutch migration and asylum chain?  

Together with representatives of different Ministries, police, feminist-, women-led and diaspora organizations, development-, humanitarian- and peacebuilding organizations - we will explore inspiring initiatives, projects, research and methodologies on advancing inclusive peace, human rights and gender justice. As this event aims to facilitate informal networking, the event is in-person. 

Register for this event here. Deadline for registration is the 8th of June COB.  

We look forward to meet you all again the 12th of June. For any questions on the event, please contact Anne-Floor Dekker. 

Program 
13:30-14.00  Entrance with coffee and tea 

14:00-14:05  Welcome by the moderator, Alix Vuillemin (Advocacy Director Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice) 

14.05-14.15  Keynote speech tbc 

14.15-15.15  Critical instruments to fight impunity for international crimes, including conflict related sexual and gender-based violence  

Dutch contributions to international sanctions, accountability and justice for survivors  
The European Union recently launched sanctions against perpetrators of sexual violence. This is an important instrument to fight impunity for international crimes. What are the steps towards these sanctions? What other initiatives does the Netherlands undertake in relation to contributing to accountability and justice for survivors abroad?

Moderated panel with: 

• Frederieke Quispel, Head of the Department Multilateral Institutions and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs  
• Huub Alberse, Head Sanctions Team, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
• Sanne Weber, Senior Program Officer, Impunity Watch  

Investigation and prosecution of international crimes by and in the Netherlands  
Prosecuting suspects of violent offences against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, is another important instrument to fight impunity for international crimes. What are the steps towards investigation and prosecution of international crimes in and by the Netherlands?  

Moderated panel with: 

• Mirjam Ekkart, Team International Crimes, Ministry of Justice and Security  
• Martijn Lampe, Deputy Head Team International Crimes, police  
• Mirjam Blom, Senior public prosecutor at the International Crimes Team of the National Prosecutors Office in Rotterdam   

15.15-15.30  Q&As 

15.30-16.00  Lessons learned to identify, protect and support survivors of conflict related sexual and gender-based violence in the migration and asylum chain 

An estimated 63-80% of the women and 25-56% of the men with a refugee background has survived sexual violence. What instruments are in place to identify, protect and support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Dutch migration and asylum chain? What are lessons identified from the multi-stakeholder dialogues with women-led refugee organizations concerning gender sensitivity in the Dutch immigration policies? 

Moderated panel with: 

• Vincenzo Gomes, Directorate-General Migration, Ministry of Justice and Security 
• Anne-Marie de Brouwer, CRSV expert at Impact Now
• Yordi Lassooij, Founder Cultuur in Harmonie 

16.00-16.15  Q&A’s 

16.15-17.00  Networking & drinks

For more information about the speakers, read the document with their biographies here.

About the NAP 1325 Signatory Events 

The Dutch National Action Plan (NAP) 1325 is a partnership between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Education, Culture and Science, Justice and Security and over 60 civil society organizations based in The Netherlands. The NAP 1325 contains our joint commitments to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its successive resolutions, as well as other international obligations and commitments on ‘Women, Peace and Security’ (WPS), such as CEDAW General Recommendation 30 and the UN Arms Trade Treaty. 

The Dutch government and CSOs have committed to support women, men and youth in conflict affected countries and in The Netherlands in their efforts for inclusive peace and security. The NAP 1325 ‘Signatories’ do this in close cooperation with Dutch missions and local women’s organizations, human rights defenders and peacebuilders in (post)conflict countries, and with migrant communities and institutions in The Netherlands. 

Signatory events are organized twice per year to stimulate learning and exchange between NAP 1325 community members, providing the opportunity to strengthen public support for the WPS agenda, and to exchange knowledge and network with other actors such as knowledge institutions, academia, other government representatives, international WPS networks and individual peace activists.  

The Bi-Annuals facilitate joint strategies and advocacy efforts between WPS friends in and out the Dutch NAP 1325 community. Also, the Bi-Annuals facilitate safe spaces where CSOs, activists and government representatives can informally meet, discuss and monitor the (joint) implementation of the WPS agenda. Therefore, great emphasis lies on the ability to meet in-person. Even though the value of online contribution/ participation of people outside the Netherlands, especially from the Global South, is acknowledged.