The Murad Code project currently is in its sixth phase, which is focused on the implementation of the Murad Code. A part of the 6th phase was funded by the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada (GAC); the Institute for International Criminal Investigations (IICI) continues to spearhead the project using its own funding. Phases 1 to 5 included the development of the Murad Code, and were supported by funding and in-kind support by the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) of the UK Government, IICI, Nadia’s Initiative and other partners.
How was the Code developed?
Code’s development phases: summary
IICI conceived of the idea of a global code of conduct in 2017. The 1st phase of the Murad Code’s development involved comparative research across different fields to identify and analyse exising codes of conduct, minimum standards, best practices and guidelines relevant to systematic and conflict-related sexual violence (SCRSV). This was to identify, assess and compare core standards and to gain insights from all actors who engage with survivors.
The 2nd phase involved in-person, remote and preliminary written discussions (also “soundings”) with a wide array of practitioners, survivors and other stakeholders on the concept of and need for a global code of conduct and on core standards which should be included in a code. The soundings also included discussions on other components of a project with such a code at its heart. Using a template of questions shared prior to the soundings, most meetings lasted between 2-3 hours. This phase took place from July 2019 to February 2020.
The 3rd phase entailed the drafting of the draft Murad Code. It was drafted based on the desk-based research and outcomes of the soundings. It was published in June 2020 for global consultations and further development.
The 4th phase focused on globally consulting with and requesting feedback from survivors and other practitioners and stakeholders from different sectors on the draft Murad Code and other aspects of the larger Murad Code project. Those aspects included the development of a set of practical Code-implementation tools and guidance, such as survivor co-created resources addressed to practitioners. The final (or current working version) of the Murad Code was released in April 2022.
Watch the recording of the 14 April 2022 webinar to release the Murad Code. The webinar accompanied the release of the Murad Code at the UN Security Council open debate on conflict-related sexual violence on 13 April 2022. Hosted by IICI and Nadia’s Initiative, the panelists explored what “survivor-centred” information-gathering, documentation, investigation and reporting means from the perspectives of survivors, and discussed the role of survivors in the development of the Code and wider Murad Code project.
The 5th phase involved, among other elements, the initial translation of the Code into additional languages, providing remote rechnical advice and other support to various civil society, governmental, inter-governmental and other actors on the importance and integration of the Code into their work. It also involved a discussion about ideas for implementing the Code within and across different sectors, and otherwise raising more awareness about the Code, including through the IICI-hosted panel discussion at the PSVI International Conference in November 2022 in London. PSVI’s financial support for aspects of phases 1-5, ended.
The 6th and current phase started in 2023. Building on the foundations laid in 2017-2023, and working with survivors, practitioners and other actors around the globe, this phase entails, among other components:
raising awareness about the minimum standards distilled in the Murad Code and promoting adherence across sectors to those standards, including by criminal and human rights investigators and documenters, the media, humanitarians, academics, governments and inter-governmental organisations, and funders
collaboratively reflecting on the Code’s implementation by individuals, organisations and others working in and across different sectors
supporting their use and implementation of the Code, including through the development of practical implementation tools and other publications and through tailored technical assistance
promoting collaboration and cooperation between and within sectors to ensure survivor-centred and effective SCRSV information-gathering and use.
GAC financially supported parts of phase 6 from late 2023 to early 2026.
The development of the Code: An in-depth look at the global consultation process and feedback
As part of the launch of this website in June 2020, the “Draft Global Code of Conduct for Investigating and Documenting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” – the draft Murad Code – was presented for global consultations and further development.
Survivors, governments, documenters, donors, other practitioners and organisations from across sectors and the world were encouraged to engage with the Draft Code and the larger Murad Code project and to share their insights with a view to building consensus around a powerful Code and project with wide support. They were encouraged to read the Draft Murad Code with the background paper of which it forms part before submitting feedback on the Draft Code and other aspects of the project.
One of the core principles of IICI’s approach to the Murad Code project is to make best efforts to ensure an inclusive, collaborative process to access as many different perspectives from different lived experiences and contexts, and professions as possible. At the heart of this has been the central engagement of SCRSV survivors from all around the world to help steer and shape the Code and other project components throughout all stages and phases.
During the global consultation phase, IICI facilitated a series of dedicated survivor consultations, through which SCRSV survivors were engaged during workshops discussing and listening to their views and experiences of when others documented the SCRSV which they have experienced. These views fed directly into the Code, and the development of resources such as In Our Own Words: Survivor Perspectives for Those Gathering and Using Information About Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and the Survivor’s Guide to the Murad Code. We also engaged survivors in:
1:1 consultative conversations
thematic and regional roundtables
the process to generate written reviews of the draft Code
online workshops to help finalise the Code.
Overall, IICI understands that 72 people who identify as survivors participated in those various early engagements, coming from 17 countries including: Argentina, Bosnia & Herzegovina (“B & H”), Burundi, Canada, Colombia, the DRC, Iraq (including the Kurdistan region of Iraq), Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Rwanda, Uganda, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Venezuela.
The group-survivor consultations were organised with partners in B & H, Colombia, the DRC, Uganda, Ukraine and Nepal. These partners included Nadia’s Initiative, the Mukwege Foundation/SEMA Network, AMERUV, Men of Hope, Refugee Law Project, Medica Zenica, HIMRIGHTS and The Story Kitchen.
The survivors ranged from 25-72 years of age, had diverse levels of education (from secondary school up to advanced university degrees) and were varied in terms of urban/rural residence and income levels. 71% identified as women, 20% as men, 2% non-binary and 7% other. Survivors also come from LBGTQI+ communities, indigenous and marginalised ethnic groups. Some were displaced (IDPs and refugees). Some of the women had children born from the crimes against them, and some of the survivors (while adults at the time of IICI’s engagement with them) were children at the time of the crimes against them.
After having processed the large volume of insightful feedback received before April 2021, areas that would benefit from more in-depth expert consultations were identified. Roundtable discussions and other expert talks were held from October 2021 to early 2022. These more in-depth discussions focused on, among other areas, the draft Murad Code and:
people with disabilities
survivors who document SCRSV
LGBTQI+ rights
child rights
the Middle East
Latin America.
Including survivors, IICI estimates that 337 individuals or organisations from at least 64 different countries have provided feedback on the draft Code which helped shape the scope and content of the final Murad Code. The feedback was relatively evenly spread across a range of disciplines including humanitarian and protection actors; human rights actors including women, LGBTQI+, child and disability rights specialists; the media; national and international justice actors; academic researchers; the military and security sector; private and governmental donors; and international affairs and policy actors.
A summary of the feedback obtained during this consultation process can be accessed here. A full unabridged collation of the feedback which has been de-identified can be accessed here. At this time, both these sources are available only in English.