The Standardized Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Arrangements (‘MARA’): An Effective Tool for Ending Armed Conflict Related Sexual Violences and Abuses?,

Prior to the development of standardized monitoring, analysis and reporting agreements (MARA) on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in 2010, CRSV was a phenomenon mostly unknown in its real numbers. This situation was rightly perceived as unacceptable by several reports, including UN documents. However, the establishment of MARA lead to the introduction of a number of criteria and rules for the gathering and reporting of information and data on CRSV crimes to the UN Security Council. It was widely believed that these innovations would enhance the fight against these crimes at United Nations level. This Article .critically examines the various rules and criteria through which the MARA has contributed to the fight against sexual crimes and abuses in armed conflict and post-conflict scenarios. It asserts that due to the continued growth of CRSV incidents, the benefits anticipated to reduce these odious crimes under MARA have remained elusive throughout the ten years since the MARA was created. This Article makes suggestions for the improvement of the monitoring and reporting activities of MARA.