Statement of the Guatemala at the May 15 Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict
CP
We therefore emphatically condemn all of those brutal acts, for besides clearly violating international humanitarian law and human rights, they constitute a rejection of human dignity. We fully support the emphasis that the Secretary-General places on conflict prevention and early warning. It is at that stage that we must pay close attention in order to prevent the most vulnerable — children, women and teenagers — from having their human rights violated.
Implementation
That is why we must continue to include sexual violence as a designation criterion for imposing sanctions and to ensure that sanctions committees and monitoring mechanisms base their efforts on experts specializing in gender-based and sexual violence in conflict. We consider it timely for Special Representatives to share information with sanctions committees as needed.
PB
We must underline the undeniable role that women can and must play in peacebuilding. There is an important link between women’s full and meaningful participation in preventing and resolving conflicts and in post-conflict reconciliation and rebuilding efforts and the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of such efforts. Women must participate on an equal footing when it comes to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. The international community must insist on eliminating barriers to the empowerment of women in the decision-making process regarding conflict prevention and resolution, as well as peacebuilding — just as they are drivers of development — and we encourage more women to participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations.