Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Cardozo Law Institute in Holocaust and Human Rights (CLIHHR) are pleased to provide this submission in response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor’s (OTP) Call for Updates of the OTP 2014 Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender-Based Crimes (2014 Policy Paper). The 2014 Policy Paper was a groundbreaking step forward in articulating the commitment of the OTP to prioritize redress for sexual and gender-based crimes (SGBC) and address barriers to achievement of this vision. This, along with the 2022 Policy on the Crime of Gender Persecution, establishes the commitment of the OTP to adopt a gender-competent perspective and to prioritize accountability for SGBC. As an organization committed to addressing SGBC, PHR and CLIHHR offer this submission to suggest how the 2014 Policy Paper can be updated and further developed to articulate key principles in addressing SGBC occurring during and outside of conflict.
