The alarm: Sexual violence will increase with NATO

 

NATO

The alarm from the alliance - NATO will increase sexual violence

Noam Bertling

Updated 12.55 | Published 12.15

Sexual violence, abuse and human trafficking.

IKFF fears that will increase when the first Nato bases are established in Sweden.

- Too often it is precisely the troops who claim to protect the population that pose a major threat to women's safety, says Malin Nilsson, Secretary General of the International Women's Federation for Peace & Freedom.

Quick version

• IKFF warns of increased sexual violence and human trafficking when the first NATO bases are established in Sweden.
• They believe that militarization is never good for women's rights and that armaments and war are patriarchal tools for power and control.
• NATO's tightened rules are not considered sufficient, the focus should instead be on preventive measures.

At the beginning of 2022, the American military ship USS Forrest Sherman will dock in Stockholm Harbor. It should be there for a few days in connection with an exercise. According to information to Expressen, two men from the crew were arrested, suspected of having bought sex from two Ukrainian women on Swedish soil. One of them confesses in interrogation.

Now IKFF warns that military bases with foreign soldiers can increase the sex trade and other sexual violence in Sweden. According to a defense agreement, American soldiers get access to 17 Swedish military bases. The government has also given NATO permission to place soldiers in Swedish territory temporarily.

- Increased militarization is never good for women's rights and security. Armament and war are patriarchal tools for exercising power and control, says Malin Nilsson.

Malin Nilsson is director general of IKFF. Photo: Ikff

IKFF wants to "abolish the fundamental causes of armed conflicts and the legitimization of war". According to them, a step into NATO is a step backwards for world peace, but it can also be for the safety of women in the countries where military bases are established.

- Military organizations are built on obedience, discipline, strict hierarchy and ultimately the use of force. Violence is becoming a more normalized and legitimate way of dealing with conflicts, says Malin Nilsson.

"The host country has the primary responsibility"

In the agreement on defense cooperation with the United States, which is supposed to enter into force at the end of the year, there are no guidelines for sexual violence, harassment and human trafficking. The agreement gives the US the right to place its soldiers on its own, newly established military bases, including Swedish ones.

But last year NATO tightened its policy on human trafficking. It says that NATO soldiers must actively combat human trafficking and other sexual violence as best they can, especially since the crimes occur in war zones.

- All personnel on NATO missions must report all incidents of human trafficking, both through NATO and to relevant actors with legal authority who can act on the report, says Peggy Beauplet, press spokesperson at NATO.

However, it is not NATO itself that must intervene first in suspected human trafficking.

- It is the host country that has the primary responsibility, says Peggy Beauplet.

Malin Nilsson does not think that NATO's stricter rules will be enough.

- Regarding prostitution and trafficking, there have long been known problems at foreign military bases around the world. All too often, it is precisely the troops who claim to protect the population, who pose a major threat to women's safety.
 

"Preventive work is needed"

According to the defense agreement, it is not Sweden that ensures that the American forces follow the law, but it will be the Americans themselves. This at the request of the United States.

However, this rule can be changed - but only if a case has "special significance for Sweden". However, the police have the right to investigate all suspected crimes. Then all relevant authorities must cooperate, regardless of which country they belong to.

- The role of the police is important, but they focus on crimes that have already been committed. What is needed is preventive work, says Malin Nilsson.