Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

The adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) today, which Brazil is pleased to have co-sponsored, sends a clear message that the Council is ready to continue to fight impunity by focusing on parties that engage in conflict-related sexual violence. It has strengthened the tools and arrangements available to the Council and to the United Nations as a whole.

Impunity tends to fuel violence. Brazil appreciates and supports the work of Ms. Wallström's Office to support national institutions in identifying and prosecuting perpetrators. We also believe that the Team of Experts established by resolution 1888 (2009) can play an important role in helping States to strengthen the rule of law in situations of particular concern.

As we focus on bringing perpetrators to justice or to face opprobrium, we cannot shirk our duty to ensure proper support to victims. While this is fundamentally the responsibility of States, there are several ways by which the international community can support national efforts in that regard.

The United Nations and the international community have demonstrated their firm commitment and political will to prevent sexual violence against women, combat impunity and enforce accountability. On the other hand, it is equally crucial that national authorities make every effort to ensure that perpetrators of sexual crimes be brought to justice and not go unpunished.

The examples presented prove how difficult and delicate the issue under discussion today is, and how far post-conflict societies have to go to fully engage and deal with their pasts. However, I wish to ensure you of our firm commitment to do everything to reach justice. We will continue that longstanding struggle and prove that justice must be satisfied for the sake of both the past and the future.

In addition, we must use this opportunity to underscore the responsibilities of States and parties to conflict to observe and uphold their international obligations and respect international humanitarian law, which grants special protection to women and children.

Finally, we would like to point out that the international community has taken noteworthy steps, including the adoption of relevant resolutions, to tackle the issue of sexual violence. But, more importantly, the time has come to start converting commitments and promises into real actions on the ground to prevent violence, protect individuals, punish perpetrators and provide redress to victims.

Bosnia and Herzegovina supports the establishment of arrangements for monitoring, analyzing and reporting sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Such a mechanism is necessary for data collection so that the use of systematic sexual violence in conflict situations on the Council's agenda can be tracked.

We welcome the recent arrests and extraditions of persons responsible for sexual violence and would like to encourage all countries concerned to take the necessary steps to bring them to justice.

We welcome the appointment of the leader of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and encourage Member States affected by armed conflict to seek the support of the Team.