Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

Owing to discriminatory legal frameworks and practices, women and girls are more vulnerable to conflict- related violations of their rights, including sexual violence. It is of vital importance that the culture of impunity that still prevails with regard to such crimes be addressed.

"From resolution 1208 (1998), on security for refugees, which underscores the special security needs of women in camps, to resolution 1314 (2000), which underscores the importance of prevention, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration policies including a gender perspective, it is clear we have made progress.

To that end, the African Union Commission, with the technical support of civil society partners, are leading in the development of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy Framework. The Transitional Justice Policy Framework emerged from the report by the AU Panel of the Wise entitled Non-impunity, truth, peace, justice and reconciliation in Africa: opportunities and constraints.

Women's participation and leadership in both the security sector reform and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes is essential to long-term peace. So, too, is their direct engagement in the implementation of the Framework. Special Envoy Robinson's work to ensure their full and effective participation, including through the recent Bujumbura Conference is long overdue, prospective and reassuring.

Ensuring accountability at the national level is equally important. However, it is regrettable that the lack of adequate national capacity to investigate and prosecute sexual violence remains one of the main impediments to ensuring accountability for such crimes. In that regard, my delegation would like to commend the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, established pursuant to resolution 1888 (2009).

What I have referred to leads us to conclude that the annex to the report of the Secretary-General, which lists the parties and individuals credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for systematic rape and other forms of sexual violence during conflict and post-conflict situations, is useful, and that we must increase the pressure on those responsible for those acts and, when appropriate, submit their names to the relevant committe

The latest report of the Secretary-General to the Council (S/2013/149) reaffirms the pervasiveness of sexual violence and its interconnection with various aspects of the maintenance of peace and security.

Parallel to those efforts, the Salvadoran Government has strongly promoted a campaign against gender-based violence and sexual violence in general on different fronts. We have strengthened legislation with the approval of the comprehensive special act on violence-free lives for women.

Because combating the impunity of gender violence is fundamental to peacekeeping processes, States need to strengthen their judicial systems so that such cases can be brought to trial. In that regard, it will continue to be equally important to pursue the ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court.

In recent years, the United Nations has augmented its involvement in establishing and supporting transitional justice measures, furthering women's rights in post- conflict societies. The United Nations-supported truth commissions in Mali, Kenya and Cote d'Ivoire have addressed gender-based crimes.