"Republic of the Congo. Rwanda, of course, sets the most progressive example in that respect. Togo encourages the United Nations to assist countries that have not yet done so to integrate into their national systems the experience of those who have managed to increase the role of women in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction."

We are pleased that the Council has convened an open debate on this issue for the third time, which signals the importance the Council attaches to the issue of women. Women account for more than half of the world's population. Women's participation and the recognition of their special needs are essential. The issue of women and peace and security is multifaceted.

My delegation is pleased to learn from UN Women that transitional justice mechanisms are increasingly responding to war crimes against women by providing specific arrangements to protect women witnesses. We also welcome the adoption of resolution 2106 (2013), in June, which focuses on accountability for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict and stresses women's political and economic empowerment.

Let me once again congratulate the Security Council, UN Women and other bodies with regard to women and peace and security and commend them for their ongoing work. The Council and the international community can count on Thailand's active engagement in and contribution to that important issue.

Just last month, Thailand joined other like-minded countries in endorsing the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, initiated by the United Kingdom. We will continue to cooperate with all partners to eliminate sexual violence in conflict and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Enhancing women's access to justice is also one of Thailand's main priorities. Our Independent National Rule of Law Commission helps ensure that all State organs perform their duties based on the rule of law, without discrimination. The Council may be interested to know that on 15 November Thailand will host the Bangkok Dialogue on the Rule of Law: Investing in the Rule of Law, Justice and Security for the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

A situation of conflict creates particular challenges in terms of human rights and upholding the rule of law. As is rightly mentioned by the Secretary-General in his report, rebuilding justice and the rule of law and enhancing gender-sensitive legal and institutional reform, in conformity with international standards, is crucial to protecting women's equal and inviolable rights in the aftermath of conflict.

We hope that Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucuka will actively seek to put an end to that phenomenon and that she will pressure those foreign Powers that seek to intensify the bloodshed in Syria to cease their interference in my country and their violations of international law and the United Nations charter.

We cannot but express our deep concern about the deterioration of the situation in the refugee camps of our Syrian brothers, where Syrian women and girls face insecurity and are being trafficked, raped and subjected to forced marriage, all of which has been documented in international reports.

The Syrian authorities are eager to bring to justice all those who commit such crimes, and we are documenting those grave violations. Syria arrests the perpetrators and subjects them to accountability under Syrian national law.