Although I have spoken of our failure in Syria, the fight against sexual violence has also had its share of victories. First, we have put an end to silence. From a silent form of evil that was understood to be an inherent part of war, we have made sexual violence an issue affecting international peace and security.

We welcome the steps taken towards a consolidated approach to conflict-related sexual violence and, more broadly, to the issue of women and peace and security, as well as the progress made in moving from the principles and goals established to creating operational measures and tools. We must live up to our political commitment through concrete and measurable action.

We must stay focused on combating sexual violence. I can assure the Council that the European Union will do its part to contribute to that goal.

The European Union continues to implement its dedicated policy on women, peace and security, including through close cooperation with other international and regional organizations. In that regard, we welcome the designation of Ms. Bineta Diop as the African Union Commission Chairperson's Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security.

Reporting, monitoring and information-sharing should be based on intensifying the establishment and use of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements in the context of country-specific resolutions and mandates. It also depends on increasing the deployment of women protection advisers in the relevant peacekeeping missions.

In South Sudan, we are very concerned about the recent reports from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan of targeted killings of civilians based on their ethnic origins and hate messages calling for sexual violence against people on the basis of the community they belong to. We are also concerned about women's participation in conflict prevention, resolution, protection and peacebuilding processes.

In recognition of the critical need to investigate sexual-violence atrocities committed in conflict situations, one of the objectives of the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan is to document atrocities of sexual violence with a view to ensuring the accountability of those responsible and fighting impunity.

Conflict-related violence continues to claim lives and lead to serious and irreparable consequences for its survivors, their communities and their families, including children born of rape. That is clearly reflected in the alarming information in the latest report submitted by the Secretary-General (S/2014/181).

Concerning access to justice and accountability, crimes of sexual violence must be prosecuted and punished under national and international law. In that regard, we emphasize the significant advances made in international law by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the non-permanent international criminal tribunals relating to combating sexual violence in conflict, as well as national efforts to implement the Statute.

To reverse the near complete impunity that perpetrators of sexual violence currently enjoy, it is important that States build the capacity to ensure accountability