HRH the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg at the first Stand Speak Rise Up! forum in March;
Credit: © SSRUP / SIPA Press
The board of directors of the "Stand Speak Rise Up!" non-profit organisation will meet for the first time this Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November 2019 at Berg Castle in Luxembourg.
As a result of the "Stand Speak Rise Up!" forum, held in Luxembourg in March 2019, Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess launched the Stand Speak Rise Up! non-profit organisation in September 2019.
Stand Speak Rise Up! aims to denounce rape as a weapon of war, to prevent its proliferation and to support victims in their recovery and their need for justice. The association acts as a “megaphone” by giving a voice to the victims and by providing solutions. It thus organises regular meetings on specific themes, inviting both survivors and specialised international experts. The objective is to draw up factual observations, propose solutions and act together with international bodies in order to get things moving.
The association’s programme has been developed around several main themes defined during the first forum in Luxembourg with survivors and specialists: healing the mind and body; ending stigma for victims; uniting systems for justice; repairing the damage; developing finance and technology for victims; improving the inclusion of children born as the result of rape. These actions help to fight against concrete human rights violations.
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, President of the Stand Speak Rise Up! organisation, commented: “For these deep wounds to heal, no victim must be committed to silence or left by the wayside".
The weekend of the 16-17 November will allow the association’s board of directors to meet for the first time and work on furthering the projects linked to Stand Speak Rise Up! as well as present its first plea concerning children born as the result of wartime rape.
