Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

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.

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.

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.

Following the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007, the Government set out an ambitious plan to put in place a new Constitution and build and strengthen institutions of governance that would be accountable to and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

We also appreciate that, for the first time, the report lists parties that are
credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape and
other forms of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, as per the
Security Council agenda. Japan strongly condemns the parties listed and calls
on them to make specific, time-bound commitments to ceasing acts of sexual

Today's discussion is about our collective responsibility to give voice to the voiceless. An increasing number of conflicts around the world are made even more horrific by the use of sexual violence. These are often the most disturbing and the most hidden elements of conflict. Yet, the number of victims is staggering, and it continues to grow every day. Each one of these people has a name and has a family.

The first is a case study on ending impunity. We all recognize the simple equation: impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence guarantees that the virus will spread; conversely, ending impunity and making the perpetrators pay will act as a deterrent.

We are informed by the Secretary-General's report that over the past year, there have been several new and ongoing armed conflicts in which sexual violence has been widespread, with civilian populations being systematically targeted. What is even more disturbing is the fact that most perpetrators remain at large. Indonesia finds this unfortunate situation unacceptable.

India will continue to contribute positively to United Nations efforts in protecting vulnerable sectors of the population, particularly women and children, in conflict and post-conflict societies. I would also like to emphasize that the international community needs to enhance cooperation by providing new and additional financial resources, sharing experiences and building capacity in the areas of justice and the rule of law.