Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

The Justice, Rule of Law, and Security Sector Reform theme focuses on the application of a gender perspective into the post-conflict process of reforming security and justice institutions, with the aim of ensuring transparent, accountable, and effective services.

Huge gaps remain in area of security sector and justice reform although the United Nations and the Women, Peace and Security resolutions have stressed that Justice and SSR must be gender sensitive throughout planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases.

The Women, Peace, and Security resolutions stress the particular need for improved security sector responses to address and prevent SGBV. Member States are urged to undertake comprehensive legal and judicial reform to better protect women from violence (1888, OP6). Reiterating the call for prosecutions to end impunity (1325,OP11), Member States are called upon to investigate and bring perpetrators of sexual violence to justice (1820,OP4; 1888,OP6).

To help strengthen national judicial systems, and identify gaps in national responses to sexual violence, the Security Council requests that a UN team of experts work with national officials to enhance criminal responsibility for crimes of sexual violence (1888,OP8). Vetting armed forces to ensure the exclusion of those associated with past actions of rape and other forms of sexual violence is an essential component of Justice and SSR (1820, OP3; 1888, OP3). Finally, it is critical that access to justice, protection, and redress for survivors of sexual violence is ensured (1820, OP4; 1888,OP6-7).

The resolutions set out specific obligations, in addition to broader guidelines, for transitional justice and justice reform within SSR. Women’s rights must be ensured in the reform and rebuilding of the police and judiciary (1325,OP8), and within peace agreements. To facilitate this, SCR 1820 calls for the inclusion of women and women’s organisations in all UN-assisted reform efforts (OP10). Justice and SSR are crucial components of peacebuilding, and have a direct impact on a country’s ability to achieve sustainable peace. Both gender mainstreaming in policy making, and the participation of women, are integral to successful reform.

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In order to protect women's rights and ensure women's participation in confli...

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In order to protect women's rights and ensure women's participation in conflict-affected situations, security for those who serve to uphold the rule of law, such as police officers and judges, is a basic necessity. In that regard, gender-responsive transitional justice measures and justice system reforms need to be addressed.

While Governments have the primary responsibility to steer such processes, th...

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While Governments have the primary responsibility to steer such processes, the international community and other actors can provide critical support. In the fight against impunity for perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, where women are often the victims, the International Criminal Court has a unique role in complementing the efforts of national courts when these are unable to bring perpetrators to justice.

We appreciate the focus of today's debate — women's rights must be an i...

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We appreciate the focus of today's debate — women's rights must be an integral component of efforts to rebuild justice and rule of law in conflict and post- conflict situations. I wish to address three areas.

Fortunately, as the report of the Secretary- General of 4 September (S/2013/5...

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Fortunately, as the report of the Secretary- General of 4 September (S/2013/525) acknowledges, times of transition and flux can present opportunities to strengthen women's leadership, empowerment and rights in the process of restoring the rule of law and governance systems. As his report indicates, the participation of women in peace negotiations and donor conferences has increased over the past year.

It is a matter of regret that respecting the rule of law in conflict situatio...

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It is a matter of regret that respecting the rule of law in conflict situations continues to be a significant challenge for the international community. In our view, that is a strong reason for inclusive peace negotiations that produce peace that is durable, sustainable and long- lasting. It is also reason for including the participation and engagement of women in that process.

In that context, Indonesia wishes to emphasize the critical importance of sus...

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In that context, Indonesia wishes to emphasize the critical importance of sustaining political momentum behind ongoing peacebuilding processes, promoting gender equality and promoting and protecting the human rights of women. We are fully convinced that the involvement of women in all aspects of society unleashes a vast and dynamic pool of ideas, creativity and skills, which inspire society to move on and gain prosperity.

We firmly believe that capacity-building should be a main focus of United Nat...

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We firmly believe that capacity-building should be a main focus of United Nations efforts. In order to ensure sustainable peace and stability, State institutions, including in the area of security, the rule of law and justice, need to be strengthened. National Governments have the primary responsibility for prosecuting and deterring violence against women, including sexual violence.

We firmly believe that capacity-building should be a main focus of United Nat...

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We firmly believe that capacity-building should be a main focus of United Nations efforts. In order to ensure sustainable peace and stability, State institutions, including in the area of security, the rule of law and justice, need to be strengthened. National Governments have the primary responsibility for prosecuting and deterring violence against women, including sexual violence.

Although so far the Council has held seven debates on the issue of the rule o...

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Although so far the Council has held seven debates on the issue of the rule of law, there is still a way to go to achieve overall accountability for crimes affecting women and girls. Nor have we made sufficient progress in achieving women's full participation in the processes of transitional justice.

We have previously said that, based on our own experience, the boundaries bet...

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We have previously said that, based on our own experience, the boundaries between peacebuilding, peacekeeping and economic, social and legal transformations are not clear. Therefore, we think it is of the utmost importance to advance the fight against impunity, improve access to justice for women and strengthen the justice system infrastructure to deal with such crimes, both nationally and internationally.

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