Argentina
....
Resolution 1325 is the legal framework that allows for that
effective participation at the national and international
levels, within the broader and indispensable legal framework
provided by the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,
the Convention on all forms of Discrimination against Women,
the outcome document of the 23rd Special Session "Women
2000: Gender equality, development and peace for the Twenty-First
Century, as well as the pertinent resolutions of the Security
Council and the General Assembly, particularly res. 58/185
on the In-depth study on all forms of violence against women
and res. 62.1134 on Eliminating rape and other forms of sexual
violence in all their manifestations, including in conflict
and related situations.
....
Sexual violence as a warfare method is categorically prohibited.
The widespread and systematic use of sexual violence is a
grave violation of international law in the light of the Rome
Statue of the International Criminal Court as well as the
Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols.
....
Finally, Argentina considers that any effective response to
this question must include two pillars: the defense of full
respect for the human rights of the victim:; and an end to
impunity for the perpetrators. In this regard, we believe
that the draft resolution before us today would have benefited
from a strengthened reference to the legal framework, and
particularly with a firm reaffirmation of the Rome Statue
and the International Criminal Court, the main tool available
today to the international community to make sure nobody can
commit with impunity heinous crimes such as the ones we are
considering today.
Australia
....
Australia condemns this egregious behavior and demands that
the impunity of perpetrators for these despicable acts stop.
The international community must hold rapists to account.
We have the tools, including the International Criminal Court,
at our disposal, and we must mobilise these urgently.
....
Australia reiterates calls by the international community
for effective training and strong command structures within
military and police contingents, be they blue berets or not,
to prevent, and in situations where such crimes have occurred,
to prosecute these crimes.
Austria
....
International human rights law, international criminal and
humanitarian law and refugee law, including non-treaty standards
specific to women, provide a clear body of rules outlawing
sexual violence, including in armed conflict. It is therefore
of great concern that in spite of this, perpetrators who continue
to systematically commit serious violations against women
and girls still largely go unpunished. This situation demands
further action of the Security Council to strengthen the rule
of law to end impunity. Some of the existing mechanisms and
tools of the Council have unfortunately been underutilized.
We therefore call on the Council to make full use of the range
of measures and tools available, including the imposition
of targeted measures and referrals to the International Criminal
Court. We also call on Member States to strengthen the rule
of law and fully utilize accountability mechanisms to bring
to justice perpetrators of violations against women and girls.
Belgium
....
We also need to support an international response in the judicial
sphere. Belgium is gratified at having been able, together
with others, to set up the International Criminal Court, whose
statute is unequivocal about the nature of these crimes.
....
First of all, we have to mobilize our efforts to make the
International Criminal Court more accessible to victims. I
would like to draw attention to the strengthened role that
could and should be played by the Trust Fund for Victims.
It must be effective and must meet the needs of victims where
other initiatives are lacking. In that context, I would like
to encourage the Executive Director and the Board of Directors
of the Fund not to hesitate to appeal for specific contributions
where the situation so justifies.
....
…this perhaps complements the Secretary-General’s
initiative to designate a messenger for peace, of which he
spoke earlier — relates to documenting the magnitude
of this phenomenon, its roots, its evolution and the preparations
for the work that must be done by the courts, whether national
or international. Here, I would like to suggest that the Secretary-General
might appoint a woman special investigator on sexual violence
in armed conflict to carry out the systematic collection of
information and to gather all the material that is already
available in the field, whether from peacekeeping operations,
the United Nations agencies or others operating in the field.
All of this should lead us towards zero impunity, and we must
clearly affirm the United Nations commitment to peace and
security. That must be translated into efforts to tirelessly
and determinedly hunt down the perpetrators of these crimes
so that those monsters will never again be able to sleep in
peace.
Benin
....
Synergy should also be established between the activities
of human rights advisers, where they are deployed, and the
monitoring and information mechanism established within the
framework of resolution 1612 (2005), which was initiated by
my country, Benin. This mechanism has been proven itself:
it has enabled us to identify the perpetrators of abuse against
children in situations of armed conflict. Strengthening the
legal provisions to fight impunity would be of great use,
because the credibility of these provisions could serve as
a deterrent to the parties to conflict. The International
Criminal Court has a crucial role to play in this context.
....
While amnesty for warlords is often the price to pay in concluding
peace accords, it is important to ensure that serious crimes
not be covered up, as long as they are properly documented.
These crimes should be made imprescriptible worldwide so that
those who are suspected of having committed such crimes may
be brought to account as soon as possible in an international
or national jurisdiction as appropriate.
That said, we must enhance the awareness of law enforcement
agencies on the issue of sexual violence to ensure that they
effectively protect the population, because it is not rare
for all parties to an armed conflict to be guilty of serious
crimes against civilian populations — who are just as
fearful of Government forces as of rebel forces.
Brazil
....
Current international instruments provide an adequate framework
and the necessary basis for such work. The Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Convention
on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols are
all important references in the effort we need to undertake.
Also relevant are the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court and pertinent instruments of the International Humanitarian
Law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection
of civilians in armed conflict.
Implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000) must play a central
role in such a strategy. It should be carried out in conjunction
with all General Assembly Resolutions on violence against
women, the Agreed Conclusions of the Commission on the Status
of Women, as well as the General Assembly Declaration on the
protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflict,
of 1974, according to which all forms of repression and cruel
and inhuman treatment of women and children committed by belligerents
in the course of military operations or in occupied territories
shall lie considered criminal.
Ending impunity must also be part of our collective efforts.
No woman or girl victim of sexual violence can reconstruct
her life unless the cycle of recurrence is broken. Beyond
the lack of respect for the human being, impunity signals
to the continuation of a horrendous crime, which has multiplying
negative effects on family members and the community as a
whole.
For that reason, we must strengthen the crucial role played
by the International Criminal Court in ensuring accountability
and punishing perpetrators of rape and other forms of gender-related
crimes and crimes of sexual violence, all considered crimes
against humanity, as defined in the Rome Statute.
Burkina Faso
....
[J]ustice must be done when it comes to prosecuting and punishing
perpetrators. There must be absolutely no impunity when it
comes to this issue.
Canada
....
Impunity for sexual violence against women and girls, men
and boys is rampant in conflict affected situations. International
criminal tribunals play an important role in ensuring accountability
for serious crimes including sexual violence. The International
Criminal Court (ICC) indictment and recent arrest of Jean-Pierre
Bemba for massive sexual crimes allegedly committed in the
Central African Republic is just one example of international
efforts to end impunity for sexual crimes. In addition to
the ICC, the cases at the Special Court for Sierra Leone have
included charges and convictions for crimes of sexual violence.
Canada calls on States to cooperate in the four conflict and
post-conflict situations in which the International Criminal
Court is active: the region of Darfur in Sudan, Central African
Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, to ensure
perpetrators of serious international crimes are held responsible.
The rule of law, justice and accountability are essential
to durable peace.
Costa Rica
....
From this debate we should leave with a clear disposition
to prevent. Until now we have concentrated our efforts on
repressing violence against women in situations of armed conflict
and on fighting impunity. We have somehow limited ourselves
to trying to implement security sector reform, and not always
with much success. Our efforts to end impunity such as the
actions undertaken by the International Criminal Court and
the
Special Tribunals, although very important and indispensable,
are not sufficient.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
....
Prevention — by no means the least important issue —
chiefly concerns the fight against impunity, including the
fight against ignorance by disseminating the relevant international
legal instruments available and the laws on sexual violence,
so that women victims know their rights and so that the judges
know what their powers are.
Ghana
....
This gathering reinforces our shared belief in the inherent
dignity of every human being whether in time of peace or in
time of conflict. Indeed, the inclusion of a range of sexual
violence offences in the Statutes of both the International
Criminal Court and the ad hoc international criminal tribunals
was itself a strong affirmation of our shared value that there
should be no tolerance for impunity.
....
Failure to prosecute is a license to rape. Consistency in
prosecutions and in referrals to justice mechanisms shows
that the Security Council takes this matter seriously. All
perpetrators and would-be perpetrators must know that the
international community, particularly the Security Council,
is watching and is ready to act to end impunity for sexual
violence. States should review and, when necessary, revise
or create applicable laws to ensure that sexual violence against
women is always criminalized.
Korea
....
We believe that referring to the ICC or tribunals will send
a strong and effective message to the perpetrators, while
keeping in mind that ending impunity is one element of a comprehensive
approach to seeking sustainable peace, justice, truth and
national reconciliation.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
....
Due to the varying nature of the perpetrators of these crimes,
it is natural that our approach to the problem should be adapted
to the perpetrator. We believe that greater awareness of international
humanitarian law through education in military institutions
could help to alleviate the problem. However, this alone is
not sufficient, as law is generally taught only to officers
and not to ordinary soldiers, who are responsible for most
of these crimes. Furthermore, some soldiers, even when aware
of the relevant international law and because of the difficult
circumstances of a conflict, do not in general pay much heed
to the consequences of their acts. Therefore, Member States,
with the assistance of the United Nations, must seek other
means to deal with the problem and to raise the awareness
of soldiers about the gravity of sexual violence against women
and its moral abhorrence.
Liechtenstein
....
Very significant progress has been made over the past few
years with regard to the issue of impunity. Both ad hoc tribunals
established by this Council have made highly significant contributions
in this respect. In the Akayesu case, the International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda established that rape, under certain circumstances,
can constitute an act of genocide. The codification of sexual
violence as internationally punishable crimes occurred in
the context of the adoption of I he Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court in July 1998. The explicit inclusion of sexual
violence in the provisions dealing with war crimes and crimes
against humanity was one of the many significant steps forward
reflected in the Rome Statute. Today, almost ten years later,
the Court is fully operational and currently dealing with
situations where sexual violence is rampant. One of them is
the situation in Darfur, which this Council has referred to
the Court. 11 is therefore clear that the parts of the resolution
dealing with the question of impunity (OP 4) are incomplete
without a specific reference to the International Criminal
Court. We also think that the Council should call for cooperation
with all international tribunals and courts that deal with
sexual violence.
Mauritania
....
In this face of this shameful phenomenon, the international
community should take all necessary measures to put an end
to it and adopt mechanisms where zero-tolerance is required
for perpetrators of these abominable crimes against women,
crimes which, moreover, are not limited to a single region
of the world.
Mexico
....
Mexico reiterates its unequivocal rejection of the use of
sexual violence as a strategy of war and joins the Council’s
call on all States to bring the perpetrators of such acts
to justice.
Netherlands
....
If national systems fail to bring perpetrators to justice,
the International Criminal Court comes into play. The Rome
Statute clearly defines rape and other forms of sexual violence
when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack
against civilians, as crimes against humanity. Fighting impunity
is also one of the key elements of the resolution on £,I
forms of violence against women which the Netherlands and
France present in the UN General Assembly.
New Zealand
....
New Zealand welcomes increased Security Council attention
to the reality of sexual violence during conflict, and to
the need to end impunity for crimes involving sexual violence.
This is an important aspect of SCR 1325. Sadly, sexual violence
continues unabated in conflict and post-conflict situations
around the world.
....
New Zealand has actively supported General Assembly resolutions
on the "Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms
of violence against women' and on "Eliminating rape and
other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations,
including in conflict and related situations".
Nigeria
....
We are equally worried that eight years after the adoption
of the landmark Security Council Resolution 1325, which serves
both as an action framework and reinforces other existing
mechanisms, such as the CEDAW Convention and the Beijing Declaration,
progress towards its implementation has been slow and uneven.
Indeed, the objectives of the Resolution, including the need
to enhance women's participation in decision-making, integrating
gender perspectives into peacekeeping operations, protecting
women from gender-based violence and mainstreaming gender
into UN programme mechanisms, remain largely unfulfilled.
....
Another important challenge is how to institutionalize gender
sensitive policies through the domestication of relevant international
Conventions and mechanisms, such as CEDAW and the Beijing
Platform for Action to Prevent Violence against Women. In
addition, the political will necessary for implementing Resolution
1325 at the national and regional levels is not evident in
many cases. The fact that there is no requirement in place
to ensure universal observance of relevant Conventions and
principles has created further room for inconsistency among
States.
Panama
....
[I]t is generally accepted today that systematic acts of sexual
and gender-based violence are violations of human rights,
affect human security and development and represent an assault
on international peace and security. As a result, the international
community has classified such criminal behaviour as crimes
against humanity and given the special courts established
by the Security Council and the International Criminal Court
jurisdiction in trying and convicting those guilty of committing
such crimes.
....
It is therefore essential that the Security Council duly consider
the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of
war and devise mechanisms to mitigate, eliminate and effectively
punish that practice. In doing so, it is imperative to recognize
that justice is the main guarantor of human rights. The Security
Council must therefore send a clear warning that acts of sexual
violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict
will not go unpunished. It must also provide special support
for the International Criminal Court to ensure that the perpetrators
of such crimes are tried and convicted.
Slovenia (on behalf of the European Union)
....
Durable peace and reconciliation are heavily compromised if
the perpetrators of such acts are not prosecuted. Impunity
for perpetrators and insufficient response to the needs of
survivors are unacceptable. The grave violations of women's
human rights, through massive rape and other sexual violence
require the immediate attention of organizations like the
International Criminal Court and other relevant tribunals.
Furthermore, international and national courts should have
adequate resources, access to gender expertise, gender training
for all staff, including judges, and gender-sensitive programs
in order to more effectively prosecute those responsible for
such crimes.
South Africa
....
Sexual violence constitutes a war crime and a crime against
humanity when committed as part of a widespread and systematic
attack on a civilian population by State and non-State actors.
It was for this reason that when the International Criminal
Court was created, South Africa recommended that sexual violence
be among the crimes referred to this court that is a tool
against impunity.
Spain
....
Violence against women and girls continues to rise, in spite
of the international community's legal framework and awareness
of the severity of the problem. The adoption by the General
Assembly of Resolution 62/134 on "Eliminating rape and
other forms of sexual violence in all their manifestations,
including in conflict and related situations" which Spain
co-sponsored was a turning point.
....
International Law does have appropriate mechanisms, especially
the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which
categorizes systematic rape as a war crime, crime against
humanity and it could even constitute an act of genocide.
The universal accession to this Statute would well constitute
a crucial step forward in the fight against impunity.
Switzerland
....
Firstly, Switzerland stresses the importance of the fight
against impunity. Acts of sexual violence must not go unpunished.
The prosecution of persons suspected of having committed such
acts is - first and foremost - the task of States. However,
when States are unwilling or unable to prosecute acts of sexual
violence amounting to war crimes, crimes against humanity
or genocide, such cases must be referred to the International
Criminal Court. The ICC clearly has a crucial role to play
in fighting impunity.
Tanzania
....
It is, therefore, our expectation that the discussions in
this open debate will lead to recommendations that would enable
the Security Council to respond effectively to the use of
sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations and
crystallize international concerted action against such crimes.
....
The Security Council needs to send a clear message to parties
in armed conflicts that sexual violence in any manifestation
is not condoned and that stern measures would be taken against
the perpetrators so as to end impunity. We thus call upon
Member States to comply with their obligations for prosecuting
perpetrators as well as to support the work of the International
Criminal Court in this regard.
....
It is unfortunate that civilians, and in particular women
and children, are increasingly targeted in the current warfare;
humanitarian law is blatantly being violated and its perpetrators
escape with impunity. There is thus an enormous challenge
to the international community as a whole and to peacekeeping
missions in particular, to ensure that civilians are protected.
....
We are willing to work with the international community to
end sexual and gender based violence as well as to end impunity.
Tunisia
....
Violence against women is, by definition, a dehumanizing and
unacceptable practice and an abject violation of basic human
rights. Such practices must be fought and forcefully punished.
United Kingdom
....
My government believes that the Security Council should show
leadership on the issue of sexual violence by:
1. …
2. …
3. Proposing practical measures that parties to armed conflict
can take to prevent sexual violence, and ensure that those
who commit such crimes are brought to justice. This includes
peacekeepers as well as belligerents.
4. …
Vietnam
....
Commitments to resolve the issue of sexual violence against
women are contained in major documents such as the World Summit
Outcome Document, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Right
of the Child.
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National
Systems: Rule of Law, SSR, Justice
Afghanistan
....
The Government of Afghanistan has made considerable achievements
in protecting women from violence and assuring a secure environment
where their rights are protected, and their participation
in decisions making bodies and in the peace building process
is guaranteed.
Afghanistan has undertaken several initiatives in addressing
violence against women as embodied in the Constitution, the
MDGs, the Afghanistan Compact, the ANDS, and the international
treaties. The Afghan Ministry of Woman's Affairs is leading
our efforts in achieving this goal and is chairing the Ministerial
Task Force created in 2005 to eliminate all forms of violence
against women.
....
Progress in the process of Disarmament, Demobilization and
Reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants and illegal armed groups
has contributed to minimizing violence against civilian particularly
women and children. However, the successful completion of
the
DDR process will help to create an environment where women
will be empowered to exercise their rights.
The Afghan Government recognizes the security sector reform
as crucial to strengthen the rule of law, to ensure the protection
of women's rights, to improve law enforcement by legitimate
national bodies and to end the culture of impunity. But at
the same time, we would like to underscore the need for women
to participate in the security sector reform process.
....
The escalation of violence and insecurity in some parts of
the country as a result of the terrorist activities carried
out by the Taliban and A1 Qaeda, hinders the implementation
of the rule of law and consequently makes women vulnerable
to all forms of violence.
....
The legacy of the long conflict including access to weapons,
difficulty in stabilization efforts and the rampant poverty
is reflected in self-immolation, forced marriage, domestic
and other forms of violence. In order to be successful in
our duty to eradicate these practices, we request the international
community to strengthen our national capacities in ensuring
a secure environment, improving economic and social conditions
and implementing human rights and the rule of law in Afghanistan.
Argentina
....
Considering these realities, Argentina is convinced of the
need to adopt urgent and effective steps to prevent and respond
to such acts of sexual violence against the civilian population,
which will significantly contribute to the maintenance of
international peace and security. Such steps must include
the protection of civilians, particularly women and the girl
child; training for military and security personnel; the adoption
of adequate legislation and its effective enforcement; community-based
work and care for the victims; among others.
Australia
....
The absence of an effective system to prosecute UN personnel
who, while a member of a peacekeeping mission, perpetrate
sexual crimes, should not lead to impunity. Where this is
the case, the state of nationality should take action to hold
their own nationals to account.
....
National governments must initiate, promote, and implement
strict behavioral standards for all security personnel.
....
It is also essential that victims of sexual violence have
effective and equal access to justice, and that national systems,
including appropriate national legislation, are in place to
ensure effective judicial outcomes. In circumstances where
these are not in place, Australia stresses the need for the
rapid establishment of the rule of law to facilitate effective
responses.
Austria
....
We also call on Member States to strengthen the rule of law
and fully utilize accountability mechanisms to bring to justice
perpetrators of violations against women and girls.
In this context, I would like to draw your attention 10 the
Final Report from the Austrian Initiative 2004-2008 on "The
UN Security Council and the Rule of Law", which contains
17 concrete recommendations how the Security Council could
strengthen the rule of law in its various fields of activity.
In particular, recommendations No. 8 and 9 address the implementation
of Res. 1325 and the Secretary General's zero-tolerance policy
on sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping operations.
The report was recently issued as a UN document and is available
in all official UN languages.
Belgium
....
To punish the perpetrators is the task of the justice system.
This fight requires the rejection of inevitability, the condemnation
of letting these crimes become commonplace and the rehabilitation
of the victims. That is the best way to engage in prevention.
Every combatant, every fighter, every potential perpetrator
needs to know that one day he will be called to account and
will pay the price for his infamous crimes.
To be sure, the task [of ending impunity] is immense and complex.
There are several aspects to our response. We must strengthen
national judicial capacity. We must therefore have the commitment
of national Governments to assume their responsibilities.
Punishments must be decided upon, and they must be carried
out. Recently, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prisoners
were able to escape shortly after their sentencing. That is
not acceptable. We must have strengthened cooperation in that
area.
Canada
....
To that end, Canada as co-chair of the Group of Friends of
the Great Lakes Region urges the early domestication of the
binding Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual
Violence against Women and Children, adopted under t h ~ December
2006 Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great
Lakes Region. This protocol demands that the region guarantee
that sexual violence shall be punishable in times of peace
and in situations of armed conflict.
China
....
China condemns all violence against women, including sexual
violence, and urges all parties involved in conflict to comply
with international humanitarian law and human rights law.
We call upon governments concerned to investigate and bring
to justice those who have committed crimes against women.
Costa Rica
....
From this debate we should leave with a clear disposition
to prevent. Until now we have concentrated our efforts on
repressing violence against women in situations of armed conflict
and on fighting impunity. We have somehow limited ourselves
to trying to implement security sector reform, and not always
with much success. Our efforts to end impunity such as the
actions undertaken by the International Criminal Court and
the
Special Tribunals, although very important and indispensable,
are not sufficient.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
....
We wish also to provide more legal aid, to encourage victims
to bring their cases to court by paying their legal fees,
and protecting them from their rapists, who are often extremely
threatening.
....
The judicial and penal infrastructure, which have been ravaged
by years of war and pillaging, should be improved and better
equipped in order to prevent breakouts of the rapists who
have been sentenced or are in detention. Another element is
strengthening the capacity of judges in this area and training
women judges in order to provide legal assistance to victims.
Prevention also involves increasing the number of female military,
police and civilian officers in order to enhance the collection
of information on violence against women. This list is not
exhaustive, but it also includes a procedure to prevent rapists
from being able to hold positions of responsibility and, if
necessary, to relieve them of their functions.
Ghana
....
We underscore the importance of security sector reform as
an essential element of peace and security. But to be sustainable,
such reform must be gender sensitive.
....
Failure to prosecute is a license to rape. Consistency in
prosecutions and in referrals to justice mechanisms shows
that the Security Council takes this matter seriously. All
perpetrators and would-be perpetrators must know that the
international community, particularly the Security Council,
is watching and is ready to act to end impunity for sexual
violence. States should review and, when necessary, revise
or create applicable laws to ensure that sexual violence against
women is always criminalized.
Korea
....
We are also of the view that, in addition to ensuring individual's
responsibility through ending impunity, state responsibility
for the situation and for the protection of victims should
be further enhanced as well.
Before concluding my statement, I'd like to draw the Security
Council's attention to the issue of children in armed conflict.
Large numbers of victims of sexual violence in armed conflict
are children. Taking this opportunity, we would like to recall
that the Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement
on children in armed conflict, expressing its readiness to
review the relevant provisions of the Resolution 1612 with
a view to further increasing the efficiency of its action
for the protection of children against sexual violence in
armed conflict. We look forward to substantive progress in
this regard.
Liberia
....
In response, the Government of Liberia established a special
unit at the Ministry of Gender to address the increasing incidence
of gender-based violence. In her annual message earlier this
year to the National Legislature, President Johnson-Sirleaf
sounded the alarm that the incidences of rape continue at
an alarming rate involving children of young age. Investigations
by the Ministry of Justice on selected cases have shown that
these young women suffered and died from sexual assault. To
use her words, "We must prosecute all such criminals
without mercy. We must name and shame them. We must help parents
to expose them. Thus, the Association of Female Lawyers are
working with us in that regard.
....
With the support from the United Nation, the government will
soon have a special court in the Temple of Justice that meets
the international standards, dedicated to the prosecution
of sexual offenses including rape, the first country in Africa
to establish such court. This special court will undoubtedly
contribute to responding to backlog of sexual offense cases
including rape while ensuring the protection of the identity
of the witnesses using for the first time in-camera trials.
....
The Government of Liberia, with our partners, has developed
a focused program to address the critical issue of sexual
violence against women. The plan of action includes…
1. …
2. …
3. A strengthened criminal justice system in which cases of
Gender Based Violence are adjudicated fairly and expeditiously.
4. A strengthened institutional framework for the coordination
and monitoring of the implementation of the National Gender
Based Violence Plan of Action.
Yet, the challenges are enormous - restoring the rule of law;
protection of human rights and ending impunity for crimes
committed against the people of Liberia. We here seen that
the continuing attacks on women and girls are remnants of
the lawlessness that pervaded the country throughout the years
of conflict.
....
The need for enhanced protection for women in conflict environments,
including practical measures by UN peacekeeping missions and
humanitarian assistance programs, the integration of gender
concerns into security sector reform, the protection of women
in situations of displacement, and the elimination of impunity
for perpetrators of sexual abuse.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
....
Resolution 1325 (2000) took up the issue, and in its paragraph
10 it called on all parties to armed conflict “to take
special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based
violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse”.
In its paragraph 11, the resolution emphasized
“the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity
and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against
humanity, and war crimes including those relating to sexual
and other violence against women and girls”.
....
Let me recall that all member States bear the responsibility
to enact effective legislation against impunity, to conduct
education and media campaigns enhancing awareness on women’s
rights and training programmes to help eliminate cultural
prejudice against women.
Myanmar
....
Rape, let alone gang rape, is regarded by Myanmar people and
Government as a most dastardly and abhorrent crime. Whenever
such a crime is committed, we make sure that the full force
of law is applied against perpetrators. Whenever there are
allegations, investigations are carried out by authorities
and organizations concerned, including the Myanmar Women's
Affairs Federation and where there were genuine cases, perpetrators
were prosecuted and given sentences ranging from 10 years
to life imprisonment.
Netherlands
....
Secondly, acts of sexual violence should not go unpunished.
We first and foremost owe this to the numerous victims. But
also everybody should know that if they commit such a crime
they will and cannot escape justice. Justice is imperative
to ending impunity. Governments need to take vigorous actions.
National judicial systems should be strengthened in order
to ensure that these criminals are caught, tried, and effectively
punished.
Rwanda
....
It is within this context that my government has set out to
elaborate a National Policy on Gender based Violence and Violence
Against Women. The development of this policy is situated
within a national, regional and international context and
is linked to peace-building and economic development and growth.
The Rwanda Genocide Law, Article I1 stipulates that Gender
Based Violence, Violence against Women and Sexual Violence
be dealt with in the First Category in accordance with Article
I as a crime of genocide or crime against humanity punishable
under the Penal Code Article IXV with a maximum term of Life
imprisonment.
....
My delegation, therefore calls upon the United Nations System
to take conceited action on addressing the plight of women
in sinned conflict through enforcing Security Council Resolution
1325, rejecting impunity through the support and strengthening
of national jurisdictions and providing support to victims
of sexual violence. We also strongly believe, that in order
for the United Nations System to respond in a more coordinated,
coherent and effective manner, urgent attention needs to be
placed on strengthening the UN System's work on gender.
South Africa
....
The security sector of conflict and post-conflict countries
must be reformed to prevent and better respond to sexual violence.
In order to build effective, non-discriminatory and representative
security institutions, it is essential to provide personnel
with effective and sustainable gender training and capacity
building. Women's access to justice and participation in the
legal system would also contribute meaningfully to a well-functioning
and gender-sensitive security framework.
Switzerland
....
Firstly, Switzerland stresses the importance of the fight
against impunity. Acts of sexual violence must not go unpunished.
The prosecution of persons suspected of having committed such
acts is - first and foremost - the task of States… It
is therefore essential to build up national law enforcement
capacities to ensure that States are able to prosecute the
perpetrators of sexual violence. Without enhancing the understanding
of the ro'3t causes, the mechanisms and the consequences of
acts of sexual violence - the perpetrators of gender,-based
and sexual violence will continue to go unpunished. Furthermore
Switzerland underlines that military disciplinary measures
at commander level cannot be a substitute for military criminal
prosecution.
Tanzania
....
This debate is also contributing to defining an international
code against sexual violence in conflict situation.
....
The Security Council needs to send a clear message to parties
in armed conflicts that sexual violence in any manifestation
is not condoned and that stern measures would be taken against
the perpetrators so as to end impunity. We thus call upon
Member States to comply with their obligations for prosecuting
perpetrators as well as to support the work of the International
Criminal Court in this regard.
....
Equally national laws must be robust in dealing with those
responsible for such acts.
….
In addition, programs to strengthen the rule of law need to
be implemented, so as, to end impunity and provide justice
to the victims.
United States
....
The encouraging news is that steps have been taken to address
this. One of the perpetrators is serving a sentence in his
country and several other cases remain under investigation.
This situation should serve as a model for all countries contributing
troops to UN operations. While the individual perpetrator
is ultimately responsible for the abuse, member states are
responsible for disciplining and holding their troops accountable.
Vietnam
....
I wish to further emphasize that States bear the primary responsibility
to protect their own civilians and deal with violence against
them, including sexual violence.
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