Implementation

Lastly, it is essential to pursue our efforts to implement a zero-tolerance policy in peacekeeping operations. The United Nations system and Member States must bear their responsibilities in that regard. We should set an example.

Given the magnitude of the challenges facing the United Nations, France fully supports the mandate of the Special Representative. Resolution 1960 (2010), adopted in December 2010, marked a political commitment to use all the means available to the Security Council to ensure that sexual violence is prevented. It is up to us today to do our utmost to ensure that that resolution is implemented.

It is crucial to sustained peace and development that we address impunity for sexual violence. It is the duty of all States to investigate and prosecute those crimes.

Finally, the European Union continues to implement its dedicated policy on women, peace and security, adopted in 2008, making use of tools as diverse as development cooperation, the Common Security and Defence Policy and political dialogue. The varied EU support to initiatives related to women, peace and security amounts to approximately €200 million per year.

We commend the coordination and cooperation envisioned in the implementation of those arrangements with the relevant parts of the United Nations system, including the monitoring and reporting mechanism on children and armed conflict, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the human rights components of the United Nations peacekeeping missions.

When discussing sexual violence, let us not forget the burden borne by victims. Under the Rome Statue, victims of crime have the opportunity to participate in proceedings before the Court. Victims of sexual violence also require targeted assistance of the sort rendered by the Trust Fund for Victims established by the Statute.

We strongly support the mandate of the Special Representative, including the requirement to provide periodic statements as important updates on the state of sexual violence in conflicts around the world. Special Representative Wallström has been an important advocate for the fight against conflict-related sexual violence, and we especially appreciate her focus on the accountability dimension.

It is incumbent on the Council to react effectively to acts of sexual violence when it is likely that they amount to the most serious crimes under international law. Council action should be based on credible reports, including those of the Secretary-General.

The Secretariat has increased and given greater weight to reports covering women's issues. But, in our judgment, a consistent lack of information still exists regarding countries and specific situations of women in respect to this issue.

El Salvador recognizes the progress that has been made with regard to the mandates of peacekeeping operations, as many of them now include an express mandate on women, peace and security, as is the case of Libya, South Sudan, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Darfur, Burundi, Haiti and Afghanistan.