As we noted in our statement on this issue in April under the Rwandan presidency (see S/PV.6948), the main underlying causes of the violence include poverty, poor governance, the democratic deficit, revenge and the desire for racial domination and to impose one's culture or religion.
My country has sent several official letters to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bangura detailing documented information on the responsibility of armed terrorist groups for acts of rape, sexual violence and murder against women in Syria.
It is truly shameful for the apartheid Israeli regime to speak of women's rights and combating violence against women while its soldiers and settlers continue their daily aggression against Palestinian women, men and children, in addition to the violence practiced in its detention centres and prisons, tantamount to the worst forms of human rights violations.
I would also like to address some of the statements that have been made in this meeting, particularly the total and deliberate omission of any mention of the crimes committed by those terrorist groups — some of which are affiliated with Al-Qaida — to the extent that some Member States look as if they are supporting and protecting this kind of terrorism and justifying the acts committed by the terrorists, such as cannibalism in the
At the outset, I would like to thank the Secretary-General, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Ms. Zainab Bangura, Ms. Angelina Jolie and Ms. Jane Adong Anywar. I would also like to thank you, Mr.
Sexual violence is one of the most devastating weapons of war. It wreaks intense destruction on the bodies and souls of the victims. It disrupts families, displaces communities and destroys entire societies' basis for reconciliation.
International humanitarian law prohibits rape and other forms of sexual violence. Such crimes can constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide. International tribunals, especially the International Criminal Court, play a key role in punishing and preventing such crimes.
In his latest report (S/2013/149) the Secretary- General encourages Member States to include specific training courses for their peacekeeping troops. Nevertheless, our methods have not been sufficiently successful in fighting these crimes.
In an unprecedented partnership, civil society organizations, the Council and the United Nations as a whole have put in place a visionary framework based on five resolutions on women and peace and security. That framework not only asks us to fight sexual violence effectively in times of conflict, it also commits us to supporting women as active agents for change.
