Implementation

First, my delegation stresses the need to ensure that the countries concerned themselves take ownership of and lead the fight against sexual violence. National courts must, in our view, remain the main place where people are charged with sexual-violence crimes. We should of course support those courts in pursuing the fight against impunity.

We note, in that regard, the efforts of the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, which was established pursuant to resolution 1888 (2009), aimed at strengthening the capacity of national rule-of-law and justice actors.

The Secretary-General also noted in his report that “The focus of international criminal justice and mixed tribunals on combating acts of sexual violence, including rape, in the context of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, represents an important complement to national efforts.” (S/2013/149, para. 112).

It is also essential to employ all other available means to address sexual violence in conflict, including mandating international commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions and supporting the implementation of their recommendations.

Azerbaijan welcomes the increasing attention being paid by the Security Council and the wider international community to this topic, which has contributed to developing a solid normative framework and to raising awareness on the impact that sexual violence has on victims, families and societies.

As the Secretary-General noted in his report, national courts remain the principal venue for holding individuals accountable for crimes of sexual violence. At the same time, the lack of adequate national capacity and expertise to investigate and prosecute acts of sexual violence remains one of the main impediments to ensuring accountability.

Unfortunately, not all grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including acts of sexual violence, have received due attention and response at the international and regional levels. Measures that are more resolute and targeted are required to end impunity in such situations. Commitments to protection efforts must be free of selectivity and politically motivated approaches and preferences.

We also agree with the Secretary-General's recommendation that sexual violence should be included in the definition of acts prohibited under ceasefires agreements, and support the introduction of a systematic procedure to monitor parties' compliance with their commitments.

Security sector reform, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes, are essential to rebuilding communities. Measures against sexual violence must be integral to them. Too often, perpetrators of sexual violence are themselves allowed to assume positions of power in post-conflict settings. We must strengthen efforts to ensure appropriate levels of preventive vetting.

In conclusion, sexual violence touches upon the full breadth of the Council's work. While success is very obviously difficult to achieve, it requires of us vigilant and consistent commitment if we are ever to end this devastating, immoral and criminal practice.