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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The report highlights, inter alia, the challenges posed by inaccurate informa...

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The report highlights, inter alia, the challenges posed by inaccurate information about sexual violence, inadequate preventive measures and the failure to end impunity. In the light of such challenges, we strongly support the efforts of the United Nations system to establish monitoring, reporting and analysis arrangements with regard to conflict-related sexual violence.

Neither silence, nor tolerance, nor impunity is an option when facing the per...

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Neither silence, nor tolerance, nor impunity is an option when facing the perpetrators. This is a message that should clearly emanate from the Security Council, and one that must resonate with us all.

All necessary steps, including targeted measures, must be taken to protect in...

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All necessary steps, including targeted measures, must be taken to protect individuals, hold perpetrators accountable and provide remedy to victims. Ending impunity for perpetrators and those responsible in chains of command, including United Nations personnel, is imperative.

Strengthening the rule of law as an essential element in the search for lasti...

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Strengthening the rule of law as an essential element in the search for lasting solutions to sexual violence in conflict is one aspect addressed in the report of the Secretary General. My delegation would like to highlight that approach and to encourage the United Nations to continue to broaden it.

Strengthening the role and capacity of women, as well as justice and the enfo...

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Strengthening the role and capacity of women, as well as justice and the enforcement of their rights, is of utmost importance for the Government of Colombia. In that effort, the contribution of the United Nations system and the international community is essential.

Secondly, national Governments bear the primary responsibility for combating ...

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Secondly, national Governments bear the primary responsibility for combating crimes of sexual violence. The international community should focus on providing affected countries with assistance, seek their understanding and cooperation, help strengthen their capacity-building, make progress in security sector reform and improve mechanisms in the areas of the rule of law, judicial assistance and compensation.

We call on the relevant national Governments to investigate crimes and bring ...

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We call on the relevant national Governments to investigate crimes and bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against women in armed conflict. We urge the States that have not yet done so to accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as soon as possible.

Canada welcomes today's presentation by Special Representative of the Secreta...

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Canada welcomes today's presentation by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Wallström, and strongly supports her efforts to provide strategic leadership and strengthen United Nations coordination mechanisms in order to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence.

Canada welcomes the jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals confi...

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Canada welcomes the jurisprudence of international courts and tribunals confirming that rape and sexual violence can be war crimes and crimes against humanity. Individuals responsible for these crimes must be brought to justice; that includes those responsible by virtue of command responsibility.

When the Council takes up issues such as sexual violence, the challenge is ho...

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When the Council takes up issues such as sexual violence, the challenge is how to address in political, and even operational, terms an issue that is deeply moral in nature. In other words, the Council is called upon to help to translate our sorrow and outrage at such horrific violence into practical action capable of bringing about real change.

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