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.

For more resources on this Critical Issue, visit PeaceWomen Resource Center >>

In the brief history of the Court, the Office of the Prosecutor has brought c...

Extract: 

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 DPKO and the Department of Field Support stand ready to provide the neces...

Extract: 

The DPKO and the Department of Field Support stand ready to provide the necessary support to encourage Governments to institutionalize the prohibition and prevention of and accountability for

In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to a few key points. In countri...

Extract: 

In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to a few key points. In countries where conflict-related sexual violence is taking place, we call on Member States to fund women advisers in order to strengthen the implementation of the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements and the sexual violence mandate from a peace and security perspective.

In 2011, the Office of Special Representative Wallström and United Natio...

Extract: 

In 2011, the Office of Special Representative Wallström and United Nations Action developed guidelines on the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements. The human rights structures in our

In that regard, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (...

Extract: 
In that regard, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has worked with civil society and women in particular to ensure that the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur included
provisions for the Government of the Sudan to take the steps necessary to deliver effective and timely justice for serious human rights violations, including sexual violence, and to prevent amnesty in cases of crimes of

Canada strongly supports the Security Council's recognition of the need to ta...

Extract: 

Canada strongly supports the Security Council's recognition of the need to take effective measures to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, including rape as a weapon of war. In this regard, Canada calls on the Council to ensure the implementation of increased accountability measures for these crimes, including monitoring and reporting arrangements and holding those responsible for sexual violence to account.

Making real progress in our efforts against sexual violence in armed conflict...

Extract: 

Making real progress in our efforts against sexual violence in armed conflict requires greater emphasis on prevention and capacity-building. The only way to ensure that the progress achieved during the presence of a peacekeeping mission is sustainable is by working with national Governments to address their needs in the areas of institution-building, the training of personnel, supporting victims and strengthening the rule of law.

While recognizing that national justice systems may be significantly weakened...

Extract: 

While recognizing that national justice systems may be significantly weakened in conflict and post conflict situations, we realize that inaction could send a wrong message, namely, that sexual violence is tolerated. We therefore call upon all concerned to refrain from such human rights abuses, and instead to promote respect for international humanitarian law and non-violent forms of conflict resolution, and to cultivate a culture of peace.

My third and final comment relates to situations in some particular countries...

Extract: 

My third and final comment relates to situations in some particular countries. The Special Representative has visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo several times to discuss with top Government officials the issue of sexual violence, often committed by military personnel. Belgium was among the first to provide financial support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's national strategy to combat sexual violence.

My second comment concerns some particular recommendations in the report, fir...

Extract: 

My second comment concerns some particular recommendations in the report, first, that concerning initiatives and modalities relating to security sector reform, It is indeed our duty to ensure that those who perpetrate, command or condone sexual violence are excluded from all branches of government, including the armed forces and police.

Pages