Justice Served: A Landmark Conviction
This ruling was not just a case – it was a message.
In a historic first for England and Wales, a man was convicted for conspiring to commit FGM by orchestrating a trip to Iraq. This ruling set a powerful precedent: cross-border gender-based violence will not escape prosecution.
I provided legal opinion to support this prosecution, a critical element in establishing that FGM is a criminal offence. Collaborating with King’s Counsel on a case of this scale and significance was a rare and meaningful opportunity to help shape the legal framework for accountability.
The outcome: a substantial sentence later increased on appeal. But more importantly, the case reaffirmed that the law can, and must, reach across borders to protect the most vulnerable.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/man-who-conspired-to-commit-fgm-has-jail-sentence-increased
It was a privilege to participate in and contribute to the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) Initiative Conference in London – a powerful gathering that brought together over 50 ministers and more than 50 survivors from around the world.
The conference opened with a strong message from Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on PSVI, who called for greater political will to end the prevalence and impunity of sexual violence in conflict.
Mr. David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee, delivered a compelling keynote, highlighting the urgent need for accountability among donors and NGOs – a gap that still persists.
An extraordinary panel on Support to Survivors featured:
Her Royal Highness, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar
First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska
Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledone
Esther Dingemans, Executive Director, Global Survivors Fund
Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Laureate
Ajna Jusic, Association of Forgotten Children of War
I am grateful to Lord Ahmad for championing the PSVI agenda and convening such an impactful conference. It was a truly inspiring gathering – one that strengthens our shared commitment to survivor-centred justice and long-overdue accountability.
#ForSurvivorsWithSurvivors
I am extremely honoured to have contributed to Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany “Guidelines for #FeministForeignPolicy: a foreign policy for all.”
This serves all people, including those who are marginalised on the basis of gender identity, origin, religion, disability or other attributes, often in multiple ways.
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aussenpolitik/themen/ffp-guidelines/2585074
PREVIOUSLY:
Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany held the first Shaping Feminist Foreign Policy conference where I contributed insights, advice and recommendations on economic policies that will feed directly into Germany’s reflections and the drafting of guidelines.
Foreign policies around the world are transforming to build better and more sustainable economies, improve livelihood and enhance gender equality. Feminist foreign policy is based on the conviction that gender equity and equal participation are preconditions for long-term peace and security. It recognises that not all social groups around the world have the same access to political participation, opportunities and resources. It strives to dismantle the obstacles responsible for this discrepancy, such as power structures that disadvantage certain groups.
Feminist foreign policy is inclusive policy.
Assembly of State Parties 18 International Criminal Court (ICC)
In the Aftermath of ISIL – Community Projects for Gender-Based Violence Survivors and their Communities in Iraq
Iraq continues to face deep unrest, with civilians being killed for demanding their most basic rights. Amidst this crisis, and the growing frustration of youth in the absence of accountability, this is a pivotal moment to invest in community-driven projects that foster peace, reconciliation, and justice.
ISIL’s atrocities have left countless communities devastated. Survivors continue to wait for justice, truth, and acknowledgement. Community-base initiatives can play a vital role in addressing these needs – raising awareness, increasing public recognition of ISIL’s crimes, promoting accountability, and supporting the reintegration of survivors into their communities.
Panel sponsored by: Embassy of Canada to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and MADRE.
Moderator: Rejna Alaaldin
Speakers:
Opening Remarks: Her Excellency Lisa Helfand, Canadian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Agnes Callamard, The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions
Lisa Davis, Associate Law Professor, City University of New York (CUNY) Law School
Yanar Mohammed, Co-Founder, Organisation for Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI)
Roundtable Discussion: Iraq Anti-Domestic Violence Bill and Draft Provisions
A key roundtable discussion was held in Baghdad to advance the Anti-Domestic Violence draft law. The session was co-led by Advocate Rejna Alaaldin, Dr. Abdulbari AlMudarris (Member of Parliament and Chair of the Legal Committee), and Ms. Haifa Alamin (Member of Parliament and Chair of the Women’s Committee). The roundtable brought together members of parliament, civil society, media, and government representatives to develop strategies to counter bias and build support for the draft law.
Rejna Alaaldin 