Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform

The United Nations, and in particular this body, have convened meetings to deliberate on mitigating factors that can be employed to prevent and or curb such a scourge. However, despite all efforts, the scourge still persists and continues to terrorize communities, thereby posing a serious security concern. That is so because perpetrators are left unpunished and the culture of impunity aggravates conflict cycles.

Furthermore, it is important to ensure that sexual violence considerations are explicitly and consistently reflected in ceasefire and peace agreements, as well as in all security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes that involve the United Nations.

The Secretary-General's report rightly underscores that the slowness of progress made in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, as well as the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of sexual violence, promote a high-risk environment for women and girls

The reform of the security sector, accountability and strengthening the access of victims to justice, as well as awareness-raising of human rights and training within national security institutions, would provide better protection for victims

Protecting women against sexual violence in conflict remains a collective responsibility and requires us to act with resolve, coordination and as one to strengthen measures to stop the perpetrators and instigators of the violence and to prevent such violence from recurring.

One of the major challenges facing the international community in this area is that of bringing perpetrators to justice to put an end to the culture of impunity. In addition to that, there is the serious problem that an overwhelming majority of survivors never have access to means of reparation and reintegration. Accountability mechanisms, both nationally and internationally, are therefore essential to address that problem.

Moreover, my country is also reviewing its legal and institutional framework with a view to possibly creating an action plan to implement resolution 1325 (2000). That process involves the relevant areas of Government and systematizes some activities already carried out nationally, such as capacity-building for our armed forces in the human rights of women and in gender equality.

At the same time, we should not forget that sexual violence in conflict is almost never reported as a result of the risks facing both survivors and witnesses, which complicates the creation of accurate records on the incidence of that crime.

Underlining the importance of ending sexual violence, Malaysia joined many others in endorsing the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, which makes clear the collective view on the need for greater action to address the issue.

Ending impunity is crucial to our quest to put an end to sexual violence in conflict. We must move urgently to replace the prevailing culture of impunity with one that promotes the rule of law, justice and accountability.