Intersectionality in investigations of serious human rights violations and international crimes: Guidance and practice tool

Serious human rights violations and international crimes often affect people differently depending on their identity, social position, and lived experiences. Factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or migration status can intersect, creating compounded vulnerabilities and shaping how individuals are targeted, harmed, and able to access justice. Without recognizing these overlapping forms of discrimination, investigations risk overlooking key patterns of abuse and failing to fully capture the impact on victims and communities.

This publication provides practical guidance for investigators, legal practitioners, and human rights professionals on how to integrate an intersectional approach into their work. Developed by Justice Rapid Response and UN Women, the tool explains the concept of intersectionality and its relevance to accountability processes, and offers step-by-step guidance across all stages of investigations, including planning, information collection, analysis, and reporting. It is designed to support international commissions of inquiry, courts, national institutions, civil society organizations, and others involved in documenting and investigating violations. 

By applying an intersectional lens, the publication helps investigators better understand why certain individuals or groups are targeted, identify structural patterns of discrimination, and assess the full scope and impact of violations. This approach strengthens the quality and inclusiveness of investigations, promotes victim-centred justice, and contributes to more effective accountability and prevention of future abuses.