Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

While Special Representative Wallström's fivepoint priority agenda recognizes the cultural and political aspects of the problem, we share her conclusion that sexual violence in conflict is likely to occur where the rule of law is weak and where adequate legal mechanisms and institutions are lacking. Consequently, legal mechanisms to deter the use of systematic sexual violence in conflict situations must be put in place.

In the context of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) and of the third year of the Dutch national action plan, the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence jointly produced a publication entitled The Dutch Do's on Women, Peace and Security —

Finally, we are pleased to announce bilateral collaboration between the Netherlands and Spain in the development of more civilian and military gender capacity so as to increase operational readiness. We have a responsibility to arrive well prepared at our

We recognize that the Security Council has taken determined steps to eliminate the problem of sexual violence in armed conflict. It must continue its work pursuant to resolution 1888 (2009) based on the following four pillars: the fight against impunity; the prevention of new cases and protection of vulnerable groups; security sector reform; and comprehensive care and reparations for victims.

Mexico believes that it is not enough to recall that crimes of sexual violence against women have been criminalized. It is necessary to act on our support for strengthening the International Criminal Court (ICC) in order to prosecute the perpetrators of sexual violence in the context of armed conflict.

We thank the Secretary-General and the Special Representative for their clear reference to the importance of the work of the International Criminal Court with respect to combating sexual violence.

These are important achievements and we congratulate you, Madame President, on having forged a consensus on this text. At the same time, we also wish to place on record that we consider the resolution to be a missed opportunity. The Special Representative stated in her remarks that she has made the fight against impunity her priority since she took office. And indeed, this was corroborated by the substance of her briefing.

The Council, however, chose not to reflect that in the text adopted today. In fact, the operative part of resolution 1960 (2010) does not include any statement on the Council's commitment to end impunity, let alone on any concrete measures to that end.

Earlier resolutions and resolution 1960 (2010) emphasize the primary responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for crimes, including acts of sexual violence. Nevertheless, national justice systems often lack the willingness or the capacity necessary for effective prosecutions.

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence remains the norm in the vast majority of countries where it occurs. This impunity risks undermining public confidence in the nascent justice and security sectors and eroding the whole process of peacebuilding. It is therefore essential for the Security Council to step up pressure on the perpetrators of sexual violence.