The report of the Secretary-General (S/2012/33) illustrates in a most alarming way how impunity linked to human rights abuses of the past, in particular acts of sexual violence perpetrated in armed conflict, is a major factor undermining early recovery and peace consolidation, and frequently allows sexual violence to persist.

Since the most recent public debate of the Council on the issue at hand (S/PV.6642) on 28 October 2011, Luxembourg has further intensified its commitment to supporting women in armed conflict, including through its support of the work of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

allow me to highlight a positive development that has taken place since the publication of the Secretary-General's report. It was referred to today by the Special Representative, and I particularly value it in my capacity as Chair of the Guinea country specific configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission.

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has significantly advanced international law by including sexual violence in the definition of crimes, in particular, as a crime against humanity. The ICC therefore represents an important mechanism in the fight against conflict-related sexual violence.

Sexual violence is used not only as a method of warfare during armed conflict, but also as a means to surreptitiously continue conflict after the guns have fallen silent. Sexual violence can be an important indicator in determining when conflicts might turn violent or when a conflict relapses into violence.

My delegation has therefore pledged to continue its financial support for the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, which adopts a gender-based perspective across all programmes and specifically aims to assist victims of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. The Trust Fund provides direct assistance to victims, and thus has an immediate impact on the ground.

Violence against women in all its manifestations must be dealt with firmly and decisively. In that regard, my delegation reiterates Kenya's commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and the follow-up resolutions.

The main thrust of resolution 1960 (2010) is the creation of an accountability system listing those parties credibly suspected of committing or responsible for patterns of sexual violence. Needless to say, there are no ongoing patterns of sexual violence in Kenya today, and none of the activities reported concerning Kenya took place during the current reporting period of 2010-2011.

The Kenyan Constitution has entrenched women's participation in all aspects of Kenya's governance structures and societal life in general. By promoting full and effective participation and granting the Kenyan woman her rightful place at the decision making table, Kenya has ensured that there shall be nothing about society without women's involvement and genuine participation.

Preventive diplomacy as an intervention must be undertaken expediently to protect potential victims and to nip any kind of possible impunity in the bud. The Council has previously recognized a critical link between security issues and socio-economic concerns such as poverty, disease and environmental degradation.