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 ESTONIA, October, 2015.

Extract: 

Estonia is committed to implementing resolution 1325 (2000) and is currently in the process of adopting its second national action plan. Changes do not happen overnight. We therefore have to focus on raising awareness on the women and peace and security agenda from the grass-roots level to that of international cooperation.

STATEMENT OF EL SALVADOR, October, 2015

Extract: 

Given the importance that my country places in compliance with this resolution, I am pleased to inform Council members that El Salvador has made efforts at the Government level, with the support of friendly countries and international organizations, to set up our national committee for the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions.

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

Estonia_WPS.pdf

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

Egypt_WPS.pdf

Statement of Croatia, October, 2015

Extract: 

We welcome the high-level review of the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) as an invaluable occasion to reflect on the current status of the implementation of the women and peace and security agenda, and to make concrete commitments to its full realization. Croatia can attest from its own experience to the devastating effects of war on women and girls, and attaches particular importance to their protection and empowerment.

STATEMENT OF CHINA, October, 2015.

Extract: 

At the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women that was held on last month, President Xi Jinping announced new commitments in support of the global cause of women. First, with respect to funds, China will donate $10 million to UN-Women to support the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as the relevant Goal of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.

STATEMENT OF CHINA, October, 2015.

Extract: 

Thirdly, efforts should be made to shape a harmonious and inclusive social culture.

Mexico: Surviving Death: Police and Military Torture Of Women In Mexico

AmnestyInternationalTortureofWomeninMexicoReport.pdf

Concept note for the Security Council open debate on the working methods of the Security Council under the agenda item “Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2010/507)”, to be held on 19 July 2016

Concept note - July 19 2016.pdf

Statement of Venezuela, October, 2015

Extract: 

If, in line with international law, we fully respected and honoured the ban on the provision of weapons and financial support to extremist groups, there would be a decrease in the operational capabilities of those actors, thus reducing the harmful and irreparable consequences of armed conflicts on the civilian population, particularly on women and children.

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