Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

With regard to impunity, we should recognize the essential role of international criminal justice, and particularly of the International Criminal Court, in addressing cases of sexual violence in armed conflict. The Rome Statute, and this was in itself a major achievement, recognizes sexual violence as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Secondly, Governments in conflict or post-conflict situations bear primary responsibility for the protection of women in their own countries. The international community should provide assistance to the countries concerned and obtain their understanding and cooperation in order to help them in capacity-building, including promotion of security sector reform, strengthening the rule of law and improving judicial and relief mechanisms.

To assist in bringing perpetrators to justice, Canada supports the Justice Rapid Response initiative.

More broadly, we strongly support the Secretary General's recognition of the need to take effective measures to address sexual violence in conflict. In this regard, we welcome the jurisprudence of the international courts and tribunals, recognizing that rape and sexual violence can be war crimes and crimes against humanity. Individuals responsible for these crimes must be. brought to justice.

In the judicial branch, there is a good level of representation of women in high offices. Three women in fact preside over the following higher courts: the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court. In a society characterized by male dominance in the highest State offices, those positions reflect an important change in terms of gender.

In the occasion of the tenth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000), we think that it is necessary to step up our commitment to a complete implementation of its noble objectives in a number of ways.

However, we share a sense of optimism that, given our collective will, especially within the Security Council, we can bring an end to impunity and to this crime against humanity.

Contemporary conflicts create situations in which women and children are most affected by the deterioration of living conditions and fundamental rights. Deprivation of rights and violence often go hand in hand with conflict. We emphasize that rape as a weapon of war is unacceptable. Efforts to fight impunity, provide assistance to victims and hold perpetrators accountable must be intensified and better coordinated.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken significant steps to integrate the gender perspective into national policies. We are among the first countries in the Western Balkans region to have adopted a national action plan for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000).

In the fight against impunity, Belgium further asks the members of the Security Council to use, and effectively impose, targeted and graduated measures against all parties to conflicts who violate women's rights, including perpetrators of sexual violence and commanders who commission or condone the use of sexual violence.