The Global Code of Conduct for Gathering and Using Information about Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence.

Its short title — the “Murad Code”— is named after Nadia Murad, the Yazidi Nobel Peace Laureate and survivor advocate.

It is available in more than 15 languages at https://www.muradcode.com/murad-code.

It is a voluntary code of conduct that captures the existing,universal minimum standards that actors gathering and using information about systematic and conflict-related sexual violence (SCRSV) should uphold to ensure their work is survivor-centred and effective. 

En tant qu'ensemble de normes ou d'exigences minimales, un code de conduite se distingue des « lignes directrices » et des « bonnes pratiques » facultatives, ainsi que des « normes d'excellence » à atteindre.

The current version of the Code was released in April 2022.

Il s'agit làd'exigences fondamentales et non négociables, fondées sur le droit international,que tous les acteurs doivent respecter en toutes circonstances afin de garantir que leur travail soit mené en toute sécurité, dans le respect de l'éthique et avec efficacité. 

Ces normes minimales sont toutes étroitement liées, se renforcent mutuellement et revêtent une grande importance ; il n'est donc pas envisageable de les appliquer de manière sélective ou de les édulcorer.

The Code concerns individuals but also organisations, processes, systems, laws and policies. The Code applies to a wide range of actors, including but not limited to: human rights monitors, documenters and activists; survivor groups and humanitarian workers (beyond direct care roles); journalists and media organisations; criminal and immigration investigators; open-source researchers; academic researchers; managers, policymakers, funders, and medico-legal professionals.

Si vous collectez ou utilisez des informations relatives au SCRSV, ou si vous financez, supervisez, gérez ou participez de quelque manière que ce soit à ces activités, le Code vous concerne.

It is broadly defined. The term includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced abortion, enforced sterilisation, forced marriage, trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual violence and/or exploitation, and any other form of sexual violence of comparable gravity perpetrated against any person where that conduct is directly or indirectly linked to an armed conflict. 

SCRSV also includes such acts during peacetime or transitional phases when they are part of systematic, repressive, structured, or political violence, and when such violence is used to terrorise or destroy communities. SCRSV includes but is not limited to sexual violence which amounts to the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

The Murad Code was developed through a multi-phase, global consultative process. Over 1,300 experts and organisations across 112 countries, including 72 survivors from 17 countries, contributed to its development. The current version of the Code was released in April 2022 and is available in more than 15 languages.

- 10 principes

- 86 engagements

Together, they capture the minimum standards for how information about SCRSV should be gathered and used. The Foreword to the Code describes important background information, as well as outlining the nature, focus, scope and application of the Code.  

- Encourager et soutenir la collecte et l'utilisation efficaces d'informations sur la violence sexuelle et sexuelle à l'encontre des femmes et des filles, en plaçant les survivantes au centre de ces efforts .

- « Autonomiser » les survivants, en les aidant à connaître et à exiger le respect de leurs droits humains, ainsi qu’à partager leurs informations de manière plus sûre et plus efficace tout au long des processus de collecte et d’utilisation des informations.

- Améliorer les pratiques professionnelles et les systèmes de collecte et d'utilisation des informations relatives au SCRSV.

- To enhance coordination and cooperation between the different sectors involved in addressing SCRSV.

- Individuals and organisations who helped to develope the Code or who commit to adhere to the minimum standards reflected in the Code jointly own the Murad Code. 

- The idea of such a code was conceived by the Institute for International Criminal Investigations (IICI). The global project through which it was developed was co-founded by IICI, Nadia’s Initiative and the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) of the UK government. The government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, has supported the project in 2023-26. But the Code does not belong to IICI, Nadia’s Initiative or the UK or Canadian governments.

- L'IICI dirige actuellement le projet visant à soutenir la mise en œuvre du Code.

Individuals and organisations that voluntarily commit to the Code are responsible – jointly and separately – for upholding its standards. Accountability begins with commitment.

Start by reviewing the Code’s commitments against your and your organisation’s current systems, processes, procedures, practices and contracts. Identify gaps and implement changes to strengthen your practices and bring them into alignment with the Code. Reach out to other experts for help or exchanges of implementation lessons.

The Murad Code is used, for example, to inform policymaking and advocacy campaigns; as framework and reference in organisational policies, manuals, guides and research; as capacity-building resource; and as reference in academic articles and resource hubs. Governments, national and international investigation and other authorities, humanitarian actors, the media, NGOs, survivors and other actors and stakeholders use it (and associated tools and other resources) in various ways. For examples with hyperlinks to resources, see https://www.muradcode.com/code-in-practice.