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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STATEMENT OF RWANDA, October, 2015

Extract: 

At the institutional level, Rwanda’s security organs, in collaboration with other Government agencies, local communities and civil society, have launched initiatives to protect and respond to violence that targets women and girls.

STATEMENT OF PORTUGAL, October, 2015

Extract: 

In that regard, and to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 1325 (2000), Portugal commits to promoting increased participation by women in international missions for the strengthening and maintenance of peace and security, and for humanitarian aid and crisis management; to continuing to actively promote the women and peace and security agenda in the main multilateral forums to which Portugal is a party, such as the Unit

STATEMENT OF QATAR, October, 2015

Extract: 

It is of great concern that the parties responsible for such violations of human rights are not prosecuted and brought to justice. It is therefore important that the Security Council use all the means available to ensure that they face international criminal justice. Such crimes must not go unpunished. In that connection, we would like to commend the efforts being made by Justice Rapid Response with regard to sexual and gender-based violence.

STATEMENT OF QATAR ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL OPEN DEBATE ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY, OCTOBER, 2015

Qatar_WPS.pdf

Statement of Poland, October, 2015

Extract: 

Poland attaches the utmost importance to the practical involvement of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping. One of the ways to engage them in decision-making is by strengthening their participation in the legal system. Accordingly, we support the candidature of Ms. Agnieszka Klonowiecka-Milart to a judgeship position on the United Nations Dispute Tribunal based in Nairobi.

Statement of Poland, October, 2015

Extract: 

We fully understand that there can be no durable and sustainable post-conflict recovery without meaningful reconciliation and without the restoration of true confidence in justice. In particular, there can be no peace and security without addressing the consequences of violence against women, and no long- term stability and prosperity without providing justice and ensuring that such crimes are not repeated.

Statement of Phillipines on the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015

Philippines_WPS(1).pdf

Statement of Phillipines on the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, October, 2015

Philippines_WPS(1).pdf

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296: Annex

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Sudan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Participation
Peace Processes
Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
Extract: 

Requirements for progress would include a commitment on the part of the Government of the Sudan and non-signatory movements to reach a comprehensive negotiated political settlement to the conflict and adhere to its full and timely implementation; and credible Darfur-based internal dialogue and consultations that seek to reflect the views of the civilian population, including women, on Darfur in the peace process.

[...]

Protection of civilians from imminent threats of physical violence;

  • Civilians facing imminent threats of physical violence are protected by UNAMID.

  • Civilians at risk of physical attack, in particular women and children, carry out livelihood activities safely and securely under UNAMID protection.

  • Civilians receive emergency medical assistance from UNAMID, including through evacuation to medical facilities, in extreme circumstances (i.e., when humanitarian actors are unable to assist).

[...]

Safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access and safety and security for humanitarian personnel;

  • Humanitarian actors requesting UNAMID protection and other support are able to conduct operations (e.g., inter alia aid delivery and distribution and needs assessments) in a safe, timely and unhindered manner.

  • Humanitarian actors and their property are safe and secure, in particular when UNAMID protection is provided.

  • Parties to the conflict honour their commitments and international obligations to combat all acts of sexual violence against women, men and children and put an end to the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

Security Council Resolution S/RES/2296: para. 24

Security Council Agenda Geographical Topic: 
Sudan
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
Human Rights
Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
Extract: 

24. Requests UNAMID to monitor, verify, and draw to the attention of the authorities abuses and violations of human rights, including those committed against women and children, and violations of international humanitarian law, and further requests enhanced, detailed, full and public reporting by the Secretary- General to the Council on this issue, as part of his regular 90-day reports;

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