To combat and especially to deter the perpetration of such acts, Togo believes that the countries concerned must build an arsenal of justice, such as national or hybrid criminal courts and tribunals, turning, if necessary to the International Criminal Court, with scrupulous respect for the principle of complementarity, which maintains the primacy of national jurisdictions.

My country welcomed the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), which defines the role of women in conflict prevention, conflict management and peacebuilding. The national action plans that Member States are called upon to draw up pursuant to that resolution seem to be the most effective means for attaining the goals of the resolution.

My country also supports the main initiatives launched by the United Nations to combat sexual violence in times of conflict, as set out in the report.

In addition to those measures, which are aimed at preventing violence against women in conflict, my country reiterates the urgent need to put an end to impunity if we are to ensure that every society in the thrall of conflict, wherever it may be, draws lessons from the atrocities committed against civilians and prevents such atrocities from being repeated.

The Special Representative mentioned my country in the report before us in the context of what she called sexual violence and in the context of elections, political strife an civil unrest, thereby exceeding the mandate entrusted to her by resolutions 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010).

Syria stresses the importance of the item under consideration and condemns all forms of sexual violence, particularly in armed conflict. It stresses also the need to put an end to such acts and to bring their perpetrators to justice while avoiding selectivity.

My delegation addressed many official letters to the Special Representative, including documented information on the responsibility of armed terrorist groups for acts of rape and sexual abuse as well as the killing of Syrian women and girls. We also sent the Representative a DVD including the documented confessions of members of those groups, proving their responsibility for those crimes.

In conclusion, it is truly strange that the representative of the Israeli occupying Power — whose country has for decades committed all kinds of violations and crimes, including violence against girls and women in the occupied Arab territories in Palestine and in the occupied Syrian Golan — should accuse or lecture us even as Israel continues to commit all kinds of violence against women and girls who are still under the yoke of th

First, prevention is a priority as it is an essential part of our efforts to protect, in which many stakeholders have a role to play. Specific and timebound commitments to put an end to all acts of sexual violence and to bring their perpetrators to justice can help to break the cycle of violence.

We are pleased that Special Representative Wallström has been able to address the Council in country-specific meetings throughout her mandate when new information emerged. That type of interaction can allow preventive action to be taken in reasonable time. Timely, analytical and verified information allows a better response at all levels.