Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

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.

There should never be impunity for sexual violence. We are pleased that the Council has demonstrated increasing willingness to use commissions of inquiry and referrals to the International Criminal Court.

In order to incorporate those important aspects in the preparations for peacekeeping missions, all Nordic military and police personnel receive training on resolution 1325 (2000). A joint Nordic Centre for Gender in Military Operations was established last month in Stockholm. The aim of the Centre is to raise the countries' competence in gender issues within planning, execution and evaluation in military operations.

Last month, there was another positive development with the Sudan's establishment of its national human rights commission. A woman with more than 30 years of judicial experience was appointed commissioner. A special court was also established in Darfur. A prosecutor general was appointed to examine all alleged violations perpetrated in Darfur since 2003, including violence against women. That is also an concrete, positive development.

While the Government will continue to adopt social, economic and security measures relating to women and children, which also have relevance to the Commission's findings, courses of action will also be taken in response to the Commission's recommendations.

Sensitive to the vulnerabilities of women in postconflict situations, the protection of war-affected women and children is a priority for the Government of Sri Lanka. Every effort is being made to ensure that their lives are returned to normalcy, as far as possible and as speedily as possible.

In addition, as an incremental step to enhance the mechanisms to safeguard the rights of women that are already in place in Sri Lanka, the Government has developed a national action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights, which has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The national action plan contains a specific section dedicated to the rights of women, covering a plethora of issues.

The Council has done an outstanding job over the past few years to comprehensively address the challenge of conflict-related sexual violence by adopting landmark resolutions aimed at eradicating it. South Africa welcomes the progress that has been made so far in the preparations of the terms of reference for women protection advisers, and we look forward to their early deployment.

South Africa supports the recommendations of the Secretary-General that the Security Council increase pressure on the perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence, that it utilize all means at its disposal, and that, in this matter, it fully support the use of referrals to the International Criminal Court.