We commend the coordination and cooperation envisioned in the implementation of those arrangements with the relevant parts of the United Nations system, including the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the human rights components of the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

When discussing sexual violence, let us not forget the burden borne by victims. Under the Rome Statue, victims of crime have the opportunity to participate in proceedings before the Court. Victims of sexual violence also require targeted assistance of the sort rendered by the Trust Fund for Victims established by the Statute.

We strongly support the mandate of the Special Representative, including the requirement to provide periodic statements as important updates on the state of sexual violence in conflicts around the world. Special Representative Wallström has been an important advocate for the fight against conflict-related sexual violence, and we especially appreciate her focus on the accountability dimension.

Sexual violence can be a crime of international concern, especially if it is part of a widespread or systematic campaign and can therefore constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity or even an act of genocide. The need to ensure accountability for such crimes is self-evident.

It is incumbent on the Council to react effectively to acts of sexual violence when it is likely that they amount to the most serious crimes under international law. Council action should be based on credible reports, including those of the Secretary-General.

In the brief history of the Court, the Office of the Prosecutor has brought charges for sexual violence against 13 of the 27 individuals for whom he has requested warrants of arrest or summonses to appear, charging sexual violence as a war crime, a crime against humanity and an act of genocide.

The Secretariat has increased and given greater weight to reports covering women's issues. But, in our judgment, a consistent lack of information still exists regarding countries and specific situations of women in respect to this issue.

El Salvador welcomes your initiative, Mr. President, to convene this open debate of the Security Council on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security.

El Salvador recognizes the progress that has been made with regard to the mandates of peacekeeping operations, as many of them now include an express mandate on women, peace and security, as is the case of Libya, South Sudan, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Burundi, Haiti and Afghanistan.

El Salvador recognizes that, 11 years after its adoption, progress has been achieved in the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), as pointed out by the second report (S/2012/33) of the Secretary- General.